Cases of COVID rising with flu in SC. Here’s how to tell which one you’ve got
Flu season is well underway in South Carolina but cases of COVID-19 have been rising lately too, recent health reports show.
Hospitalizations of COVID-19 have risen steadily since the start of November in the state and the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The latest data shows there were 22,513 COVID-19 hospital admissions in the U.S. through the week ending in Dec. 2, a 17.6% increase from a week earlier.
SC COVID
According to CDC data, South Carolina COVID hospitalizations have risen every week for the last five weeks — with 203 hospitalizations reported on Nov. 4, compared to 253 reported on Dec. 2, the latest data available.
Meanwhile, there were 345 outbreaks of COVID in the state for the week of Dec. 2, the latest report from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control shows. Of those cases, 321 were reported from long-term care facilities, while 11 were were in childcare centers and 13 came from schools.
SC Flu
Flu cases have also risen in recent weeks.
There were 2,283 lab-confirmed flu tests reported the week of Nov. 26 through Dec. 2, the latest data available, according to the DHEC. That’s a sizable jump from the 1,691 lab-confirmed flu tests reported the prior week and the 1,457 tests reported two weeks earlier.
There have been 10,042 lab-confirmed tests so far this flu season.
The latest data shows that statewide, 7.3% of patient visits to healthcare providers were for flu-like illness, which is more than double the state’s 3.2% baseline — the flu-like illness activity level overall was high, DHEC says.
Also for the week of Nov. 26, there were 155 flu-associated hospitalizations reported by 54 hospitals, up from 92 hospitalizations the prior week. There have been 521 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season.
There was one flu-related death reported in the state for the week of Nov. 26. There have been six flu-related deaths in the state so far this season.
Differences between COVID and Flu
COVID and the flu are contagious respiratory diseases caused by different viruses. COVID tends to spread more easily than the flu and can cause more severe illness in some people, the CDC states. Also, compared to people with flu, those infected with COVID may take longer to show symptoms and may be contagious for longer.
However, you cannot really tell whether you have COVID or the flu just by symptoms alone, the CDC states. Both viruses share many of the same symptoms. Instead, specific testing is needed.
Similar COVID and flu symptoms
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Change in or loss of taste or smell
COVID tests
For those wanting a free COVID test in South Carolina, you should still be able to get one. According to the CDC, every home in the U.S. became eligible to order an additional four free at-home COVID tests on Nov. 20. The tests and shipping are both free.
To order free tests, click here.
