North Carolina hospitals have experienced a post-holiday surge in respiratory
illness treatment. Wednesday, newly released numbers from the state showed a better understanding of how the flu is spreading
in our communities.
As of Saturday, Jan. 11, 15 more people have died from the flu, bringing North Carolina’s flu death total to 40 since October 2024. That number is from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Daniel Park, the Medical Director of the Pediatric Emergency
Department at UNC Medical Center described the last few weeks as a “pretty
drastic rise” in cases of flu and RSV. However, he said the numbers are
beginning to mirror pre-pandemic levels.
“We had what you might recall as a triple epidemic back in
2022 when we had COVID, flu and RSV all hit at the same time,” Park said.
The good news is the number of deaths is still well below the 2023-2024 season pace when the state had 193 deaths. Doctors said last year, the state saw
For the week of Jan. 11, 13% of emergency room patients had symptoms of a respiratory virus. That number was a decrease from the previous week, but still up from the fall numbers. There were 1,915 hospital admissions from the emergency department for people who were diagnosed with or had symptoms of a respiratory virus.
So far, no children have died from the flu this season. But Park
said children, who have developing immune systems and elderly patients are
particularly at greater risk for respiratory illnesses.
It’s important to practice the habits picked up during the pandemic, like
handwashing and wiping down highly touched surfaces, according to Park.
“And again, if you are actively symptomatic, febrile,
coughing, copious nasal and oral secretions, stay home, stay away from large
public areas,” Park said.
Park said flu season is not expected to peak until mid-to-late
February. He advises vaccinations are the best precaution against respiratory
illnesses.
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