Over the past few weeks cases have significantly increased, along with RSV.

Northern Nevada Public Health says flu and RSV cases have been increasing in recent weeks.

They note that 10% of all visits to urgent care or emergency rooms are due to the flu. Those cases have predominantly been in unvaccinated people.

NNPH is offering free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at their main clinic, 1001 E. 9th St., Building B in Reno, from 1:30-6 p.m.

Free standard flu shots will be offered to those 6 months and older and free COVID shots for 12 and older. 

Appointments and insurance are not required. 

NNPH also has a dashboard that keeps track of respiratory illnesses going around the community, which you can check out by clicking the link here.

Dr. Chad Kingsley, the District Health Officer for Northern Nevada Public Health, says there are groups who are more susceptible to getting sick. 

"You're going to see that older adults, younger children, and those who are immunocompromised," he said. "But they do affect all age groups across the board. We are seeing that significant uptick right now."

According to NNPH, when it comes to flu, in Washoe County, about 21% of our population is vaccinated, which has been decreasing for the past five years.

Dr. Kingsley says people have been speculating this year that the flu vaccine is not perfect, which he says is true, but he adds that all vaccines are not perfect.

"That's true. All vaccines are not perfect," he said. "But that doesn't mean that they're not effective. And so when we get vaccinated, it does increase our immune system. It strengthens it so we get less severe symptoms, and we get a better response and quicker recovery."

Dr. Kingsbury says another thing the community needs to be conscious of is not overburdening our health care system. So, anything the community can do to help to not use our health care system will help those individuals who do have more severe symptoms to be treated and help prevent deaths.

There are things you can do to try to stay healthy.

"It's always taking an assessment of yourself, right? So, if you start to develop symptoms, be sure to stay home; don't go running into any individuals, especially those who are younger, older, or any family members. Wash your hands," he said. "We have data that shows washing hands significantly reduces transmission."

There was recently a death due to the flu, which we reported on, so we asked about how it happened.

Dr. Kingsbury replied, "This individual was an older individual who was unvaccinated. We also need to protect their privacy and their family's privacy, but last year, of the number of deaths that we had, over 90% of them were unvaccinated. So when we do see death within flu, it's primarily caused by those who are unvaccinated."

There is also a nursing shortage in the area; NNPH says any shortage will affect their reporting on illnesses or access to health care in general.

Dr. Kingsbury goes on to say, "Currently, right now, we see a large increase in our health care system. If we don't have enough nurses, that means a longer ER wait or a longer urgent care wait. Also, nurses are the ones who do review much of our history. Are we vaccinated? They help with the vaccines. So any decrease with nursing is going to affect any population."

He adds, "A vaccine allows an individual to strengthen their immune system to have a shorter time and be able to have lesser symptoms."

If you would like to get vaccinated or set up an appointment, you can click the link here.