BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) While Washington counties have seen an increase in respiratory illness cases this fall, experts say it isn’t very different from a typical year.

Co-health officer for Whatcom County Dr. Greg Thompson says the county is seeing an increase in illnesses like RSV and influenza but not as much as last year when warnings for a “tripledemic” were issued.

PeaceHealth Northwest Network’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lorna Gober says St. Joseph’s is normally at or near full-capacity, and this fall is no different.

Dr. Gober says they strongly encourage masking for caregivers, patients and visitors, but masks are not required to enter the hospital.

RSV is the number-one cause of hospitalization in children under five according to Dr. Thompson.

People aged 65 and older are also susceptible RSV-related hospitalization and death.

Both doctors recommend receiving vaccines against RSV if you are able.

The recently published Respiratory Virus Data Dashboard for Whatcom County documents county trends.

For more information about available and recommended vaccines, visit the CDC’s website.