An infectious disease expert is concerned with the rise of respiratory illness, influenza and COVID-19 as we head into the holiday season.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community along with a host of other respiratory illnesses including influenza and RSV. With the holiday season bringing more people together to celebrate and socialize indoors many health care professionals are worried about a surge in illness.

Dr. Lisa Barrett says we need to protect our most vulnerable as there is a lot of flu circulating; but it is vaccine preventable and is encouraging anyone who has not already gotten their flu shot to do so.

Dr. Barrett is encouraging those looking to gather to adjust plans if someone falls ill and to avoid going out if you have flu-like symptoms.