Common cold and flu cases rise as local COVID restrictions are dropped

[KSTP-TV News, April 15, 2022] As mask mandates drop across the country, health officials said the common cold and flu cases are re-emerging. The common cold and flu are making a comeback after COVID-19 stole the spotlight.

“We’re also seeing other respiratory viruses and in my own personal experience, it looks like that’s been increasing,” Dr. Frank Rhame, Allina Health infectious disease specialist, said.

Health experts said fighting off these viruses is no longer an easy battle.

“Our immunity should be less now than it was three years ago because it hasn’t been stimulated by two waves of influenza. So last year, it was almost absent. That’s completely remarkable,” Rhame said.