Montgomery County is currently facing a significant increase in respiratory illnesses, with health officials warning that 2026 is on track to be a record-breaking year for flu infections.
“We are seeing numbers that we probably haven’t seen since before COVID,” said Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis in a recent interview with MCM. She also shared that the county has officially crossed a critical public health threshold, leading to new recommendations for residents and healthcare facilities.
That means that respiratory illnesses in the community reached 10 per 100,000 residents, which indicates a high transmission rate that often serves as a warning to a surge in hospitalizations.
Due to the increase of flu cases, the state of Maryland issued an advisory and Montgomery County is recommending masking in all healthcare facilities.
“If you are in a hospital, visiting someone in a hospital, going to the emergency room, or even in your doctor’s office, you may be asked to wear a mask,” Davis advised.
Why are the cases of flu so high this season?
Public health experts explain that they often look to the Southern Hemisphere to anticipate the severity of the Northern Hemisphere flu season, and this past summer they experienced a “bad flu season,” said Davis.
Davis noted that, while current flu vaccines are not a “perfect match” for the highly contagious strain, it provides protection. “It still helps decrease the rates of hospitalizations and deaths,” she underscored.
Experts say that the current strain is not necessarily more severe but seniors, immunocompromised individuals, people with chronic conditions, such as diabetics or those with asthma and infants under six months old are more vulnerable.
When to seek medical help?
Davis advised residents to monitor their symptoms closely. While most people can recover at home with rest and fluids, the following symptoms need to be seen at the emergency room:
- trouble breathing
- extreme fatigue
- high fevers or body aches
- uncontrolled chronic conditions
The Montgomery County Health Department continues to advise residents to practice the following basic hygiene:
- wash hands frequently
- cover coughs and sneezes
- stay home when feeling unwell
“Call your doctor before you go to the emergency room,” Dr. Davis suggested. “They may be able to see you via telehealth, which keeps waiting rooms clear for emergencies like heart attacks or accidents.”
Flu shots are still available and recommended, as flu season typically lasts through March, according to health experts.
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