Flu hitting SC much harder now than this time last year. Here’s why & how bad it is
Rates of flu cases, hospitalizations and deaths are up in South Carolina far more than this time last year, health reports show.
There were 10,231 lab-confirmed flu tests reported the week of Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, the latest data available, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. For the same week last year, there were only 1,750 lab-confirmed tests.
The state had 1,284 flu-associated hospitalizations reported by 60 hospitals the week of Jan. 26 - Feb. 1. Over the same week last year, 145 flu-associated hospitalizations had been reported by 49 hospitals.
The latest data also shows that statewide, 17% of patient visits to healthcare providers were for flu-like illness, higher than the state’s 3.2% baseline — the flu-like activity level overall was high, DPH says. Conversely, only 6.7% of patient visits to healthcare providers were for flu-like illness this time a year ago.
And there were 22 flu-associated deaths reported the week of Jan. 26 - Feb. 1, up from the nine deaths reported the same week last year.
However, while flu rates in the state are currently much higher, totals are still down overall year-over-year.
For instance, there have been a total of 40,324 lab-confirmed flu tests so far this season, down from the 45,458 reported at this point last season. Also, there have been 67 total flu-related deaths this season so far, compared to 98 deaths over the same period last year. This flu season may soon catch up with last year’s totals, however.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ongoing influenza surveillance report shows that South Carolina shares the highest rate of flu activity in the U.S. with just New Jersey, Louisiana, Tennessee, and New Hampshire.
Why are SC flu cases so high?
Dr. Martha Buchanan, director of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control at DPH, said every flu season is unique and that sometimes they start earlier or later than usual. This year, peak flu season just started a little later than usual, Buchanan said.
Flu season typically lasts from October through March.
“There is no reason to panic,” Buchanan said. “I’ve been a little surprised it hasn’t been growing as fast, but now it’s picking up a little later than normal.”
SC counties with the most flu
Flu activity is currently considered widespread geographically, according to DPH. Below is a list of South Carolina counties that reported patient visits for the flu that were above the state baseline for the week.
- Oconee
- Anderson
- Pickens
- Greenville
- Spartanburg
- Laurens
- York
- Newberry
- Lexington
- Richland
- Kershaw
- Chesterfield
- Darlington
- Florence
- Dillon
- Horry
- Jasper
- Beaufort
- Colleton
- Charleston
How to reduce spread of flu
Buchanan said that even though it’s already February, it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine.
“It’s safe, effective, and readily available,” she said. “We know the vaccine works. We do have vaccine available for all age groups.”
To find flu vaccinations nearest you in South Carolina, click here.
Below are other actions you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu, according to the CDC:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick if possible, including from work, school, and errands.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
- Improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
- Frequently clean touched surfaces such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs to help prevent the spread of the flu virus.
