(ABC 6 News) – Hospitalization rates tick up and up in Minnesota as respiratory illnesses rose by 20% last week.

The spike lead to some wondering if the rising rates across the nation could be linked to lingering pandemic-related effects.

According to one doctor, due to pandemic-era social distancing and masking, it may take a few years for everyone to build up immunity to some of the standard cold viruses.

Dr. Matt Hockett, a family physician at M Health Fairview, says we all have a heightened awareness of when we’re sick.

“Now everyone is acutely aware of any sneezing, coughing or sore throat,” said Hockett. “And it seems to kind of magnify our own awareness of it.”

But, there is some good news for anyone struggling to get the RSV vaccine for their children, the CDC says the supply has improved in recent weeks.