As seasonal virus activity surges across the United States, experts stress the importance of preventive measures – such as masking and vaccination – and the value of treatment for those who do get sick, according to CNN News.

Tens of thousands of people have been admitted to hospitals for respiratory illness each week this season. During the week ending Dec. 23, there were more than 29,000 patients admitted with COVID 19, about 15,000 admitted with the flu and thousands more with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationally, COVID-19 levels in wastewater, a leading measure of viral transmission, are very high – higher than they were at this time last year in every region, CDC data show. Weekly emergency department visits rose 12%, and hospitalizations jumped about 17% in the most recent week.

Meanwhile, free community testing for COVID-19 continues in the Richmond area.

RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free at-home tests for pick-up at select locations:

•Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call 804-371-0433 for more information

•Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call 804-786-4099 for more information

•Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call 804-786-1960 for more information

•Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call 804-230-7740 for more information

•Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call 804-786-0204 for more information

•Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Rd. Unit #B, call 804-230-2077 for more information

•Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call 804-786-0555 for more information

Call the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information on testing sites or visit at vax.rchd.com.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine?

Those interested can schedule an appointment with RHHD by calling (804) 205-3501. Vaccines.gov also allows people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine, and those interested can also text their ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233.