Well being officers involved as flu sicknesses rise late within the season

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Reported flu sicknesses are rising statewide and in Lancaster County. Numbers like this will not be sometimes seen this late through the flu season and well being officers urge folks to take precautions.

“Now we have positively been seeing an uptick in influenza instances,” mentioned Darcy Jones, a doctor assistant at CHI Well being.

The variety of flu instances continues to rise despite the fact that CHI Well being mentioned flu sicknesses normally lower in March.

“However now it’s turning into extra obvious and it’s spreading as a result of we’re getting collectively,” Jones mentioned. “We’re hanging out in shut proximity, sharing these germs.”

In Lancaster County, the variety of instances peaked in December with almost 120 instances reported in a single week. They trended down in January however have began to rise once more. Through the week ending March 5, there have been greater than 30 instances reported.

“We went from a excessive elevated degree of flu again in November and December to a low degree and now we’re beginning to improve from a low degree,” mentioned Tim Timmons, Communicable Illness Program Supervisor with Lincoln-Lancaster County Well being Division. “It’s beginning to elevate.”

The county is reporting 714 flu sicknesses in whole to this point this season. A quantity that’s a lot increased than this time final 12 months.

“We noticed little or no flu and numerous that was most likely because of the measures that have been put in place to forestall the unfold of COVID-19, which at that time we have been seeing numerous spreading of COVID-19,” Timmons mentioned.

Flu numbers are additionally rising statewide. Greater than 6,000 flu sicknesses have been reported to this point. There have been 13 flu-related deaths in Nebraska this season.

CHI Well being inspired folks to get their flu shot for cover.

“It’s nonetheless a good suggestion to get your flu shot as a result of similar to the COVID-19 vaccine, there’s safety from getting the shot,” Jones mentioned. “So, we don’t need you to be within the hospital or have issues from influenza.”

Whereas there have been 13 flu-related deaths within the state, no deaths have been reported in Lancaster County.

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