With Flu and Norovirus Levels High, Good Health Habits Recommended

RHODE ISLAND, February 18 - With rates of seasonal viruses, such as flu and norovirus, still elevated throughout Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is urging people to practice good health habits to help keep everyone healthy and safe.

So far, more than 900 people in Rhode

Island have been hospitalized with influenza this flu season, the most since the 2019-2020 flu season. (Individual cases of flu are not reportable to RIDOH.) Since December 1, 2024, Rhode Island has had 74 confirmed or suspected norovirus outbreaks. Rhode Island's norovirus outbreaks have largely been associated with locations such as schools and congregate living settings.

Flu and other respiratory viruses (such as COVID-19 and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus) spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, by direct contact with someone who is sick, or by touching a contaminated surface.

Norovirus, often called the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," causes vomiting and diarrhea and spreads quickly. It can make people very sick for 1 to 2 days. Norovirus is found in the stool (poop) and vomit of an infected person. People can become infected with norovirus by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus; by touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouth; or if an infected person prepares food. People can even get infected with norovirus after a sick person has vomited in a public space because tiny drops of vomit from a person with norovirus can spray through the air, landing on surfaces or entering another person's mouth.

"The flu is a very serious virus that can send someone to the hospital, and norovirus can be dangerous for some people too," said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. "Both viruses spread easily. However, by taking a few simple preventive steps, you can help keep yourself and those around you safe. These steps are especially important for people who are at higher risk due to underlying medical conditions or pregnancy, as well as younger children and older adults."

How to prevent flu and other respiratory viruses (such as COVID-19 and RSV):

- Everyone 6 months or older should get a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. It is not too late in the year to get vaccinated against either virus. Vaccination is particularly important for older adults and people with underlying health issues such as weakened immune systems, diabetes, obesity, asthma, cancer, and heart or lung disease. Many people are also eligible for RSV immunizations. Talk to your healthcare professional about RSV immunization.

- Stay home and away from others until your symptoms are getting better for 24 hours and you are fever-free without fever-reducing medications for 24 hours. Children who are sick should not go to school or childcare.

- Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.

- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Always wash your hands as soon as you can after you cough or sneeze.?

How to prevent norovirus:

- Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus.

- Stay home if you are sick and keep children home from school and childcare if they are sick. Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.

- After an episode of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a solution made by adding 5–25 tablespoons of household bleach to 1 gallon of water.

- Do not prepare food while infected. People who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.

While levels of flu and norovirus are high, Rhode Island's COVID-19 rate has been decreasing since early January. Rhode Island's COVID-19 rate is considerably lower than it was at this time in 2024.