Infection control expert has said she expects that the flu-COVID combination could strain an already stressed healthcare system, according to an interview on the Infection Control website.

Things could be complicated because there’s going to be no way to distinguish between the two, without better testing capabilities than we currently have,  according to Linda Spaulding, RN, BC, CIC, CHEC, CHOP.

Labs could be swamped because they’ll get flu swabs as well as COVID swabs.

Longterm care facilities may have to further restrict visitors because they can bring the flu and COVID in. 

Hospitals are already looking ahead to flu season, according to an article on the Observer-Reporter website. Some hospitals are stockpiling personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, face shields and gowns. The pandemic already has strained the worldwide supply of PPE, including masks, face shields and gowns.

Read the full Infection Control article.