Influenza cases at an all-time low
Our Health: Influenza cases at an all-time low
Feb. 12, 2021
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In early February 2020 people held their breath, waiting to see how far and quickly COVID would spread in the United States. By the first week of February, HSHS Medical Group had recorded nearly 700 positive flu cases across central and southern Illinois. By the end of April, HSHS Medical Group had reached more than 2,000 cases.
This winter, however, is drastically different. Flu cases are at an all-time low, with less than 50 positive cases in HSHS Medical Group clinics since the beginning of September.
“Our efforts to help curb the spread of COVID are also helping to curb the spread of influenza,” said Dr. Valerie Thompson, primary care physician at HSHS Medical Group Medicare Clinic in Springfield, Illinois. It seems that masking, hand washing, social distancing and decreased gatherings have all contributed to an extremely mild flu season.
Flu cases fall to all time low
The Courier
Before COVID arrived, central Illinois was in the midst of an unusually severe flu season.
By the first week of February, HSHS Medical Group had recorded nearly 700 positive flu cases across central and southern Illinois. By the end of April we had reached more than 2,000 cases.
This winter, however, is drastically different. Flu cases are at an all-time low, with less than 50 positive cases in HSHS Medical Group clinics since the beginning of September.
“Our efforts to help curb the spread of COVID are also helping to curb the spread of influenza,” says Valerie Thompson, MD, primary care physician at HSHS Medical Group Medicare Clinic in Springfield, Illinois.