Warning from Yuma County Surgeon General: ‘Triad Epidemic’ is in full swing.

Diana Gomez says KAWC cases of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV are rising in Yuma earlier than ever before.

The county has more than 700 confirmed cases of the flu, compared with just two during the same period last year.

COVID-19 is also having an impact, with the region returning to high transmission coverage. The county has seen about 200 new cases since last week.

The really bad news – having one disease doesn’t prevent you from getting another.

“The reality is that they are separate viruses, and it’s very possible that you could have both the flu and COVID at the same time, and we’ve seen that many times.

Cases of respiratory disease RSV are also exponentially higher this year than last year. It tends to strike the very young and the very old, and infants are most severely affected.

Unfortunately, holiday gatherings contribute to the seasonal spread of respiratory illness. Gomez says it’s a good reason for people to think before attending a party.

“If you’re not feeling well or not feeling well, you might miss it when you’re feeling down about something,” she suggests.

Another good idea is to get tested beforehand to find out if you are already infected. Free tests are available at any Yuma County Library branch.

COVID vaccines, boosters and flu shots are also readily available.These are the single best ways to protect yourself from the worst effects of seasonal illness, and they may save lives. vaccine.gov or Yuma County website.

And to learn more about various diseases and how best to deal with them, click the “Listen” button to listen to the full interview with Public Health Director Gomez.