Handful of flu cases seen in local patients

By Sandy Morris

The month of February is typically the peak month for flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. 

A quick search of the Texas Department of State Health Services reports that the flu season began on Sept. 22, 2020 this year and that influenza activity is low across the state of Texas. 

In fact, the site reports that compared to the previous week, the percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza reported by hospital laboratories has decreased, along with the percentage of patient visits due to influenza-like illness. 

ResourceCare Chief Operating Officer Vickie Street confirmed that the information provided on a state level is consistent with local results. 

“We have seen only COVID positive tests,” said Street. “We have administered 180 flu tests across all of our clinics and have had zero positive results.”

Claire Ware, FNP at the Shackelford County Health Clinic, said they have had about 10 positive cases of flu during the 2020-2021 winter season.

“This number is much less than prior years,” said Ware. “But we are still in the heart of flu season, so we will likely see more cases.”

Ware was asked what she contributed the lower number of flu cases to this year and said she felt the COVID guidelines had helped.

“I’m sure that hand washing, masks, and social distancing are playing a part in the lower number of cases,” said Ware. 

Ware also said that in the fall, the clinic staff had seen a few cases of positive flu combined with COVID, but now they are seeing cases independent of one another.

“We still recommend getting a flu shot if people have not had one this season,” advised Ware. “Research suggests that flu shots lessen the risk of mortality from COVID infection along with the well-established benefits associated with the influenza immunization.”

Flu vaccines are still available at both local clinics.