New Website Launches to Monitor Respiratory Illness Risks

The North Central Public Health District (NCPHD) has launched a new website aimed at monitoring the local risk of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This initiative comes as the region experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases and prepares for the upcoming flu season. The website, accessible at www.ncphd.org/resp-risk-rating, provides real-time data tailored to the Mid-Columbia area.

Marta Fisher, regional epidemiologist for NCPHD, emphasized the importance of this tool in helping the community navigate respiratory health risks. “With all these respiratory diseases that come and go, it felt like navigating all that to get to an answer about what I should be doing right now was really missing,” she explained. The website aims to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health based on the current risk levels.

How the Risk Rating Works

The website calculates an overall respiratory risk rating based on various data sources. This includes wastewater samples collected from treatment plants in Hood River and The Dalles, which are analyzed at an Oregon State University laboratory. Additional data comes from symptoms reported in emergency departments at local hospitals, including Providence Hood River and Adventist Health. Although wastewater testing cannot specify how many individuals are infected, it serves as an early warning system, capturing lower levels of viral activity.

Fisher highlighted the collaborative nature of public health: “Public health isn’t just us in our office waiting for people to come — it’s people working for the sewage utility collecting wastewater data, it’s folks at the hospital who do reporting on their COVID and flu tests.” The current risk rating is categorized as “caution,” with NCPHD advising residents to consider preventative actions if the rating escalates to “high” or “very high.”

Rising Concerns Over COVID-19 and Long COVID

The launch of the website coincides with a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which indicated that COVID-19 hospitalizations are peaking across the country. Wastewater levels are reported to be high in 28 states, including Oregon and Washington. With each COVID-19 infection, the risk of developing Long COVID increases, a condition affecting one in 20 American adults as of fall 2024, with over 200 identified symptoms.

In response to the ongoing health challenges, the governors of Oregon, Washington, and California announced the formation of the “West Coast Health Alliance” on September 3, 2023. This partnership aims to develop immunization guidelines amid changing eligibility for new COVID-19 vaccines. The Food and Drug Administration has limited vaccine availability to certain age groups and individuals with specific health conditions.

Martha McInnes, director of NCPHD, reflected on the erosion of trust in public health institutions post-pandemic. “Trust was eroded during the pandemic, it hasn’t really come to repair after, and that’s something I think about on a daily basis — how we as an agency can build trust back,” she said. The new respiratory risk website is part of efforts to enhance transparency and trust within the community.

NCPHD continues to advocate for vaccination as a crucial preventive measure. Vaccines remain available at various locations, and the organization encourages the public to stay informed about their health options. Fisher concluded with a reminder of the basics: “If I could get people to do one thing more often, it’s wash your hands.”

As the community navigates these health challenges, NCPHD aims to provide reliable information and resources to empower individuals in their health decisions.