ChristianaCare GoHealth Urgent Care Centers can treat flu, colds, sore throats and other illnesses — quickly and conveniently.

(WILMINGTON, Del. – January 9, 2025)

We know to bundle up in cold weather, but do you always remember to wash your hands after eating lunch or shaking hands with a colleague?

As chilly temperatures keep more of us indoors and in closer proximity, small steps like frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact—and yes, wearing a mask—can greatly reduce risk of getting sick with the flu, RSV, COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses that are currently on the rise.

“At the start of the New Year, many people are focused on adopting healthy habits, and following proper handwashing practices is one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves and those around us,” said Priyanka Dixit-Patel, M.D., physician executive for Primary Care at ChristianaCare. “Handwashing is simple but it’s incredibly powerful in preventing the spread of illnesses, which is critical for keeping our communities healthy.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting higher numbers of respiratory illnesses – in particular, cases of influenza type A, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 are spreading in addition to norovirus.

Nationally, emergency department visits with diagnosed RSV and flu are high, according to the CDC. Flu test positivity increased to 18.7% last week, while RSV test positivity increased to 12.8% and COVID-19 test positivity increased to 12.8%. According to the CDC, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are listed as having high levels of respiratory illnesses.

In most cases, these illnesses can be treated at home, but those who need additional care are encouraged to contact their primary care provider or visit an urgent care, stand-alone or walk-in clinic.

Where to go for care
ChristianaCare GoHealth Urgent Care has 16 locations in Delaware and Maryland that can provide fast, affordable care for cold and flu symptoms. Most ChristianaCare GoHealth locations are open seven days a week until 8:00 p.m., and Middletown is open until midnight.

To find your nearest ChristianaCare GoHealth Urgent Care location, visit ChristianaCare.org/Urgent-Care.

Call 911 or go to the emergency department when your life may be at risk, such as if you are experiencing severe trouble breathing or having excessively high fevers.

Follow These Tips to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Lather up. Washing your hands with soap removes germs, making them less likely to infect your respiratory system when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Rub your hands for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing all surfaces. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. If you think you have a respiratory infection, wear a mask to protect yourself and others. When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others. Masks can also protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles from people around them.

Avoid close contact. Keeping physical distance from others if you are sick — or even think you are sick — can protect them from getting sick, too.

Stay home when you are sick. You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

1. Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
2. You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

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About ChristianaCare

Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, ChristianaCare is one of the country’s most dynamic health care organizations, centered on improving health outcomes, and innovating to make high-quality care more accessible, equitable and affordable. ChristianaCare includes an extensive network of primary care and outpatient services, home health care, urgent care centers, three hospitals (1,430 beds), a freestanding emergency department, a Level I trauma center and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit, a comprehensive stroke center and regional centers of excellence in heart and vascular care, cancer care and women’s health. It also includes the pioneering Gene Editing Institute.

ChristianaCare is nationally recognized as a great place to work, rated by Forbes as one of the nation’s best employers for diversity and inclusion. ChristianaCare is rated by Newsweek as one of the World’s Best Hospitals and is continually ranked among the best in the U.S. in national quality and safety ratings. ChristianaCare is a nonprofit teaching health system with more than 260 residents and fellows. With its groundbreaking Center for Virtual Health and a focus on population health and value-based care, ChristianaCare is shaping the future of health care.

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