LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Department for Public Health will release a new COVID-19 map of cases Tuesday, and in the meantime, a Louisville doctor is urging people to protect themself as COVID-19 and flu cases rise. Internal medicine Dr. Giavonne Rondo said she’s seen a rise in respiratory cases.

“If someone has a young person that they’re exposed to and they’re an adult and maybe they have some symptoms we say it could likely be RSV, but I’m still seeing a lot more flu and also COVID,” Rondo said.

With New Year’s Eve around the corner, Rondo said it’s a concern for her to see the uptick in respiratory cases in recent weeks

“Well, just this time of year, we tend to see these viral illnesses, regardless of the weather, because we tend to be more indoors, because we’re having gatherings that are bringing people together. And so we’re going to see more of that we generally see more of that anyway throughout the years during this time of year,” Rondo said.

It’s a stark difference from summer when people spend more time being active.

“We tend to be more outdoors, you know, and then that wonderful ventilation that we have called just being outdoors helps,” Rondo said. “So when you’re indoors more, and there’s not as much ventilation than that, can we believe that that does make us a little bit more susceptible to being able to share our germs, unfortunately.”

The GoblieMD doctor who runs a mobile M.D. practice said you can do several things to as part of prevention. “People who have certain medical conditions may need to take a few more precautions, like someone who is immunocompromised,” Rondo said. She recommends getting both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, eating fruits, hydrating and most important — getting sleep.

“The biggest thing too is getting rest,” Rondo said. “Getting the appropriate rest that we all really need is vital for us to be able to recover. 

Rondo also recommends wearing a mask indoors when you’re in close proximity to people and also practice clean hygiene.