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BOSTON (State House News Service) — The flu is infecting Bay Staters at the highest volume logged in recent years, the state's top public health official said Wednesday.
"Over the past few weeks, we've raised our estimated severity level from high to very high, as we are getting reports of an increase in cases in our state," state Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein told the Public Health Council. "In the past week, we've reached a peak of influenza-like illness reporting that is higher than we've seen in any of the prior five flu seasons."
During the week of Jan. 26, state data show 6.8% of hospitalizations were associated with influenza. That compares to 3.55% during the week of Jan. 5. Provider sites monitored by DPH reported 10.54% of visits were related to influenza-like illness the week of Jan. 26, while the baseline is 1.9%.
"The department continues to strongly recommend vaccination, as it remains the best way to prevent serious illness from influenza," Goldstein said.
He added, "Please be sure to continue to practice the core respiratory illness prevention strategies in addition to vaccination: Wash your hands, stay home when you're sick and cover your cough."
Only 38% of Massachusetts residents have gotten their flu shot, according to state data.
While there's "persistently elevated seasonal influenza cases," infections tied to COVID-19, RSV and norovirus are decreasing in the state, the commissioner said.
Written by Alison Kuznitz/SHNS
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