Flu season is rapidly choosing up throughout the area, as well being officers report a leap in influenza circumstances and hospitalizations whereas many respiratory viruses are “running pretty rampant” this vacation season.
Flu severity for Massachusetts is now excessive, in keeping with the newest replace from the state Department of Public Health. This “high” influenza severity designation is 4 weeks earlier than the Bay State climbed from “moderate” to “high” final flu season. Flu exercise is excessive all through the nation.
Meanwhile, COVID circumstances and hospitalizations are ticking up across the state because the Boston-area virus wastewater information spikes.
Every week in the past, Tufts Medical Center didn’t have any flu sufferers within the hospital.
“This morning, we had seven patients who had tested positive for the flu,” Shira Doron, infectious illness doctor and hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, advised the Herald on Wednesday.
“I think that’s certainly consistent with the idea that flu is on the rise,” she added. “Our emergency room is very actively dealing with people who have respiratory symptoms. All viruses appear to be running pretty rampant.”
Those viruses additionally embody respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and enterovirus.
Boston well being officers have seen an early and speedy rise within the variety of reported flu circumstances up to now weeks.
“The Boston Public Health Commission strongly recommends that all residents 6 months and older get their annual flu vaccination, in addition to their COVID-19 vaccination and booster, to ensure the broadest level of protection against respiratory viral infection,” the Boston Public Health Commission mentioned in a press release.
“The flu can be a very serious illness, especially for older adults and young children,” BPHC added. “As we gather for the holidays, being up to date with your COVID-19 and flu vaccines and knowing how to access treatments for both illnesses if you get sick is incredibly important to avoid severe illness and hospitalization and keep you and your family healthy.”
In the newest flu report from the state Department of Public Health, there have been 2,781 new laboratory-confirmed influenza circumstances over the last week of information, in comparison with 1,322 new circumstances within the prior week.
Also, 1.22% of Massachusetts hospitalizations have been related to influenza, a leap from 0.60% of state hospitalizations within the earlier week.
“Getting vaccinated is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones,” DPH mentioned in a press release. “It isn’t too late to get the flu vaccine.
“Stay home and away from others when you are sick, wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes and disinfect high touch surfaces such as faucets, doorknobs, etc.,” DPH added.
More than 36% of Massachusetts residents have gotten a flu shot this season.
“The vaccine is a good match for the circulating flu strain,” Doron mentioned. “It’s never too late to get the flu shot while the flu is circulating — and it certainly is and it’s going up — so get a flu shot now if you haven’t gotten it yet.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”