South Carolina health officials say the state has seen more than 100 times more flu cases and nearly 50 times more hospitalizations than this time last year. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says this flu season is one of the busiest in recent years nationally and in Palmetto State. The latest Flu Watch weekly report from DHEC shows 23,343 lab-confirmed cases, 1,003 hospitalizations and 11 deaths this season. At this time, the last flu season, there were only 219 lab-confirmed cases, 21 hospitalizations and one death. Data from the latest flu surveillance report shows that since the 2016-2017 flu season, which is as far back as the report, the state has not seen this number of flu cases this early. To view the image below in a larger form, click here. The report also shows that the following upstate counties are showing above average flu cases this week: Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Laurens. Representatives of Prisma Health and Bon Secours confirmed that they had seen the increase in cases and hospitalizations reflected locally. Dr Helmut Albrecht of Prisma Health said the last time he saw so many cases was over a decade ago. We have no such explanation this year,” Albrecht said. South Carolina joins Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia as the states with the most flu cases in the nation, according to DHEC. While recent cold snaps sending people indoors could have contributed, DHEC’s Dr. Jonathan Knoche said 85% of South Carolinians under the age of 65 unvaccinated is a more likely culprit. “But I think part of that is because the younger population is probably tired of public health measures,” he said. “But public health measures like vaccines work. So, as tired as you may be of hearing about vaccines and shots, that doesn’t make them any less effective.” During the pandemic, DHEC data shows the state has seen flu cases plummet. Now, Bon Secours’ Dr Surabhi Gaur saw flu cases spike before their usual jump after Christmas and New Years. She said older people are experiencing more hospitalizations. “COVID precautions have been dropped and they were helping to keep the flu from a distance,” Gaur said. “So people don’t mask themselves anymore. People aren’t observing social distancing, may even be a little lax on hand hygiene.” . “I feel like everyone I’ve spoken to is making up for lost time “, Gaur said. “And they have these big meetings with 20, 30 people because that’s what they were doing.” Prisma and Bon Le Secours are preparing for a potential increase in cases about a week after Thanksgiving. That whether you are traveling or not, doctors advise you to get your flu shot as soon as possible, wash your hands, and consider masking up and social distancing in large groups, especially if someone is sick or in There is no indication that this strain of the flu is more deadly or more aggressive, however, it could be more contagious, according to Knoche. numbers every two weeks, from Wednesday. (SIMON),” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist. “DHEC is responsible for determining when additional public health data can help individuals make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Our hope is that more South Carolina will decide to roll up their sleeves and get their flu shot. You can find those numbers here. DHEC will also release vaccination numbers every Wednesday. The data will also be shared on the agency’s social media pages. SIMON’s capabilities include tracking flu vaccinations by age. No other demographic information will be available at this time. DHEC strongly encourages all eligible South Carolina residents to get their flu shot. The vaccine is available to everyone 6 months and older and offers the best protection against the virus. “We know that the winter months and the holiday season are times when families and friends gather in large groups,” Bell said. “These can, unfortunately, become breeding grounds for the spread of the virus, if not managed properly. We therefore encourage everyone, from grandparents to students, to get vaccinated, and we ask parents to vaccinate their young children against this deadly virus.
South Carolina health officials say the state has seen more than 100 times more flu cases and nearly 50 times more hospitalizations than this time last year.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control says this flu season is one of the busiest in recent years nationally and in Palmetto State.
The latest Flu Watch weekly report from DHEC shows 23,343 lab-confirmed cases, 1,003 hospitalizations and 11 deaths this season. At this time of the previous flu season, there were only 219 laboratory-confirmed cases, 21 hospitalizations and one death.
Data from the latest flu surveillance report shows that since the 2016-2017 flu season, which dates back as far as the report goes, the state has not seen this number of flu cases this early.
To see the image below larger, click here.
The report also shows that the following upstate counties are showing above average flu cases this week: Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Laurens.
Representatives of Prisma Health and Bon Secours confirmed that they have seen this increase in cases and hospitalizations reflected locally.
Dr Helmut Albrecht of Prisma Health said the last time he saw so many cases was over a decade ago.
“And that’s when we had a 2009 H1N1, which was really a new virus that we hadn’t seen in decades. And that explained that. We don’t have any such explanation this year,” Albrecht said.
South Carolina joins Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia as the states with the most flu cases in the country, according to DHEC.
While recent cold snaps that sent people indoors could have contributed, DHEC’s Dr. Jonathan Knoche said 85% of unvaccinated South Carolinians under 65 are a more likely culprit.
“But I think part of that is because the younger population is probably tired of public health measures,” he said. “But public health measures like vaccines work. So, as tired as you may be of hearing about vaccines and shots, that doesn’t make them any less effective.”
During the pandemic, DHEC data shows the state has seen flu cases plummet. Now Bon Secours’ Dr Surabhi Gaur has seen flu cases rise ahead of their usual jump after Christmas and the New Year. She said older people are experiencing more hospitalizations.
“COVID precautions were dropped and they were helping to keep the flu at bay,” Gaur said. “So people aren’t masking up anymore. People aren’t practicing social distancing, maybe even getting a little lax on hand hygiene.”
According to AAA of the Carolinas, 850,000 people plan to travel through South Carolina for Thanksgiving, more than the year before the pandemic.
“I feel like everyone I’ve spoken to is making up for lost time,” Gaur said. “And they’re having these big meetings with 20, 30 people because that’s what they used to do.”
Both Prisma and Bon Secours are preparing for a potential increase in cases about a week after Thanksgiving. Whether you’re traveling or not, doctors advise you to get your flu shot as soon as possible, wash your hands, and consider masking up and social distancing in large groups, especially if someone is sick or recovering.
According to Knoche, there is no indication that this flu strain is more deadly or more aggressive, however, it could be more contagious.
The department says it has started tracking flu vaccination numbers and will provide those numbers every two weeks, starting Wednesday.
“We don’t routinely track flu shot counts, but we feel the need to provide this additional data to the public using our statewide online immunization network (SIMON),” the official said. Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist. “DHEC is responsible for determining when additional public health data can help individuals make the best decisions for themselves and their families. Our hope is that more South Carolina will decide to roll up their sleeves and get their flu shot.
You can find those numbers here.
DHEC will also release vaccination numbers every other Wednesday.
The data will also be shared on the agency’s social media pages. SIMON’s capabilities include tracking flu vaccinations by age. No other demographic information will be available at this time.
DHEC strongly encourages all eligible South Carolina residents to get their flu shot. The vaccine is available for anyone 6 months and older and offers the best protection against the virus.
“We know that the winter months and the holiday season are times when families and friends come together in large groups,” Bell said. “These can, unfortunately, become breeding grounds for the spread of the virus, if not managed properly. We therefore encourage everyone, from grandparents to students, to get vaccinated, and we ask parents to vaccinate their young children against this deadly virus.
Visit DHEC’s flu page to learn more about preventative measures, treatment, and other related topics.
#health #officials #release #latest #flu #data #numbers #staggering