SC flu activity now tied for highest in the US, CDC says. These counties are struggling the most

The flu is spreading fastest in South Carolina and just one other state, the latest health reports show.

Flu activity is highest in South Carolina and Louisiana, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday. Both states are listed with flu activity levels at ‘very high,’ the maximum level a state can reach on the CDC’s report. To view South Carolina’s flu activity level and compare it with other states, check out the map below.

SC flu cases

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control again reported widespread flu activity for the state for the fourth straight week.

There were 4,504 lab-confirmed flu tests reported the week of Dec. 10 through Dec. 16, the latest data available. That’s a sizable jump from the 2,995 lab-confirmed flu tests reported the prior week.

There have been 19,006 lab-confirmed tests so far in South Carolina this flu season. The latest data shows that statewide, 12.9% of patient visits to healthcare providers were for flu-like illness the week of Dec. 10, which is four times the state’s 3.2% baseline — the flu-like illness activity level overall was high, DHEC says.

Also for the week of Dec. 10, there were 370 flu-associated hospitalizations reported by 54 hospitals, up from 215 hospitalizations the prior week. There have been 1,115 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season.

There was one flu-related death reported in the state for the week of Dec. 10. There have been 12 flu-related deaths in the state so far this season.

SC counties with the most flu

There are currently 20 counties reporting flu levels above the state baseline.

1. Oconee
   
   
2. Pickens
   
   
3. Anderson
   
   
4. Greenville
   
   
5. Spartanburg
   
   
6. Laurens
   
   
7. Newberry
   
   
8. York
   
   
9. Lexington
   
   
10. Richland
    
    
11. Kershaw
    
    
12. Sumter
    
    
13. Chesterfield
    
    
14. Darlington
    
    
15. Florence
    
    
16. Dillon
    
    
17. Horry
    
    
18. Colleton
    
    
19. Charleston
    
    
20. Jasper
    
    

Flu vaccine

Flu vaccines are strongly recommended for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, such as people with specific allergies and children younger than 6 months of age. Vaccines are available at offices of healthcare providers and many pharmacies, including national chains.

To find a flu vaccine near you in South Carolina, click here.

Patrick McCreless

The State

803-771-8353

Patrick McCreless is the Southeast service journalism editor for McClatchy, who leads and edits a team of six reporters in South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi. The team writes about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.