MADISON, Russia. (WMTV): a.
These are the positive flu tests that UW Health has recorded this flu season.
According to new numbers released by the hospital on Tuesday, UW Health has only found this unique case of the most common flu that usually happens during this time of year.
Making that number more surprising is a comparison to last year, especially bad for flu cases. By this time in 2020, with the first case of Wisconsin COVID-19 within days of being diagnosed, UW Health had recorded 848 cases of flu.
The previous year, 2019, UW Health had recorded 140 positive tests on February 2nd.
Cases of positive flu reported to UW Health before 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 decline because they initially worried about having 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 autumn, “said Safdar.
UnityPoint-Meriter did not provide data 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 protect themselves and others from COVID-19, including masks, social distancing and the use of hand sanitizer.
He added that in light of the fall, people may decide to put on masks in future flu seasons, regardless of whether the community is fighting the coronavirus.
One of the factors 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 their figures, 42% of people were shot last year and, so far this season, this total stands at 41%.
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