news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Oh pesky flu, where are you?

Not in Cone Health’s emergency rooms, that’s for sure.

Only 10 to 11 percent of patients visiting Cone Health’s emergency departments and urgent-care clinics have complained of flulike symptoms, Cone Health spokesman Doug Allred said.

That number was well above 30 percent last year this time, Allred said.

“Our flu season has been like the winter. It hasn’t shown up in full force yet,” Allred said.

Peak flu activity usually occurs in January or February, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The flu season’s timing, severity and length varies based on several factors, including what viruses are spreading and whether those viruses match the viruses in the vaccine, according to the CDC.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported sporadic spread of the flu across the state for the week ending Feb. 11, the most recent statistics available on the department’s website.

The percentage of patients visiting emergency departments and outpatient clinics with flu-like illnesses increased slightly — from 1.06 percent to 1.20 percent — between Feb. 4 and Feb. 11.

That percentage remained flat between Jan. 21 and Jan. 28, and dipped just slightly from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4.

The state reports no deaths associated with the flu since the end of last flu season.

If you haven’t come down with the flu yet, don’t let down your guard. The season can continue as late as May.
 
Contact Jonnelle Davis at 373-7080 or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com