With holiday gatherings on the horizon, health officials are urging members of the community to take precautions to avoid spreading respiratory illness.

Local hospitals are seeing record numbers of patients who need to be hospitalized due to severe respiratory illness like COVID, influenza, and RSV.

SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville Chief Nursing Officer Kathi Glenn says if it’s possible you should avoid the emergency room and do a virtual visit for mild cold symptoms.

Glenn says the influx in patients has led to longer wait times, as the sickest patients are prioritized.

Glenn recommends wearing a mask when in crowded indoor spaces like the post office.