MADISON, Russia. (WMTV) – One.
This is the number of positive flu tests recorded by UW Health this flu season.
According to the new numbers released by the hospital on Tuesday, UW Health discovered only that one case of the most common flu that usually occurs during this time of year.
Making this number more astonishing is a comparison with last year, a particularly bad one for flu cases. At this time in 2020, with the first case of COVID-19 in Wisconsin just days away from being diagnosed, UW Health has 848 cases of influenza.
In the previous year, 2019, UW Health registered 140 positive tests until February 2.
Cases of positive flu reported to UW Health by February 2 of each year:
- 2018-19: 140
- 2019-20: 848
- 2020-21: 1
Dr. Nasia Safdar of UW Health said health officials were relieved by the dramatic drop because they were initially worried they would have to fight coronavirus and flu at the same time.
“I think it would certainly have been much worse if we had both the current state of Covid and the flu. I think that was everyone’s concern in the fall, “Safdar said.
UnityPoint-Meriter did not provide figures on how people tested positive for the flu, but noted that no one has been hospitalized with the flu so far this year.
Safdar credited the fall on the same steps people are taking to keep themselves and others safe from COVID-19, including wearing masks, social distance and using hand sanitizer.
She added that in light of the decline, people may decide to wear masks in future flu seasons, regardless of whether the community is battling coronavirus.
One factor that doesn’t seem to have made a difference is the flu shots. Figures from the Department of Health Services show that the number of people who chose to be inoculated this flu season is very similar to last year.
According to his figures, 42 percent of people were shot last year and, so far this season, the total is 41 percent.
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