Flu cases and flu-related hospitalizations are up significantly this month in Jefferson County, as well as nationwide.
For the first time since 2017-2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified this respiratory season as a high-severity season overall for all age groups. The severity of a season is classified as low, moderate, high or very high. When determining the severity, the CDC looks at the percentage of patient visits to outpatient clinics for flu-like illness; the rate of flu-related hospitalizations and the percentage of deaths resulting from flu.
During the week of Feb. 2, the Jefferson County Health Department reported 719 flu cases, which was higher than any single weekly case count the agency has reported in the past 16 years, said Brianne Zwiener, the department’s communications manager.
The historical data on flu cases in Jefferson County only goes back to 2009, she said.
Previously the Health Department reported 461 flu cases for the week of Feb. 2, but after late reports were received, the total rose to 719.
“This is because we usually experience a delay in having some cases reported to us, especially if providers outside the county see residents,” Zwiener said. “That data first goes to the state, which then routes it to the correct county, so there is a delay.”
Since the start of the respiratory season on Sept. 29, the county Health Department has received reports of 2,542 flu cases. About 96 percent of the cases were Type A.
According to the report for the week of Feb. 9, which was released Thursday, 387 flu cases had been reported to the Health Department s. Flu cases for the week of Jan. 26 were at 613.
In addition, eight flu-related deaths have been reported in Jefferson County this respiratory season, with the latest death reported the week of Feb. 2.
The CDC estimated that nationwide, there have been at least 29 million illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths from flu so far this season, according to the agency’s report for the week of Feb. 2 .
“It hasn’t been this busy since the 2009-2010 flu epidemic,” said Dr. Chandra Dommaraju, an infectious disease specialist at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. “I’m not counting COVID – just the flu. At least here, this has been the second busiest (flu season) in the past 15 years.”
Dommaraju said he started seeing more flu-related hospitalizations in mid-December. It slowed down at the beginning of February but has picked up again.
He said people may still get the flu shot for this season.
“It’s never too late,” he said. “You can get the flu shot until the end of the season.”
Dommaraju said it’s especially important for pregnant women and high-risk patients with underlying illnesses, such as cancer, heart failure and lung problems, to get the vaccine.
“If they didn’t get the vaccine, they should,” he said. “And when they are in crowded places, it’s never a bad idea to wear a mask. If they get symptoms – if they are worried about the flu because they have a fever, they should call their doctor.”
Zwiener said it is important to recognize that the flu vaccine is still the best tool for protecting yourself and those around you from serious flu-related complications.
“Even in seasons with high case counts, the vaccine reduces the severity of symptoms, lowers the risk of hospitalization and helps protect vulnerable populations, such as young children, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions,” she said.
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine.
To further prevent spreading illness, Dommaraju suggests frequent hand-washing hands and staying home from work or school if you think you have the flu.
COVID
For the first time this respiratory season, the Health Department was able to access information about COVID-related deaths in Jefferson County.
“It looks like we have 13 COVID deaths so far this season,” Zwiener said.
Since the respiratory season began, 2,698 cases of COVID have been reported to the Health Department, including 84 the week of Feb. 9. The week with the most COVID cases this season was the week of Dec. 22, with 233 cases.
Health officials also recommend people get the COVID vaccine.
