Cases of influenza are rising at an earlier pace than usual in Missouri, according to the Department of Health and Senior Services, with some hospitals filling up to capacity ahead of the holiday season.

According to a spokesperson for DHSS, flu activity is at least four to six weeks ahead of where it normally stands at this point in the year, with the first reports of outbreaks in long-term care facilities coming this week. General case counts are higher, as well, with the earliest cases mostly coming from elementary school-aged children.

"Our pediatric wards upstairs, and our pediatric ICU have been very full in the past few weeks," Dr. Christopher Sampson, an emergency room physician at MU Health Care, said. "We've been running pretty busy, I mean the hospital is definitely running at capacity."

Health officials are facing what's been termed a "tri-demic," with cases of flu, COVID-19, and RSV on the rise, the lattermost having a particularly strong effect on children.

"Our emergency room has been inundated, really, for the last two weeks," Dr. Lenora Adams, the SSM Health Mid-Missouri regional vice-president of medical affairs, said. "Our emergency department has been incredibly busy, busier than usual for this time of year."

Though cases are climbing following the Thanksgiving holiday, Dr. Adams noted that SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital is not at capacity just yet. She also said her staff is well prepared to handle an onset of cases in the winter months.

DHSS said it's still too early to determine the severity of the influenza, but hospitalizations across Missouri have jumped in the past week.