ARKANSAS, USA — The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) released its latest Viral Respiratory Diseases Weekly Report, ranking the state "very high" or 11 out of 13 for flu like illnesses for the week ending on Dec. 30.
This is the first time the state received this ranking for the season.
The CDC reported there's been at least 7 million confirmed cases of the flu across the country this season.
According to the ADH, there's been 14 flu related deaths this season in the state, and 3,487 cases have been reported since October. Cases are up 758 from last week's numbers which were 2,729.
Since last week there are no new flu deaths and no new COVID deaths.
"This is the first time in a couple of years that we've seen really a typical flu season, and so it is affecting everyone" said Dr. Garrett Lewis, an emergency room physician at Chi St. Vincent. "What we're not seeing is the flu like viruses that are affecting the younger and healthier populations. For hospitalizations, what we're seeing is more of a typical flu in which the vulnerable populations like the elderly, or those with preexisting conditions are the ones that are getting sicker."
Julie Stewart, a pharmacist at Medical Arts Pharmacy, says the holiday season can be a reason to blame for the spike of respiratory illness cases.
"This is the season when everybody gets together and close spaces. And when it's Thanksgiving and Christmas, people don't want to stay home, even if they're feeling a little under the weather," Stewart said.
Stewart says the pharmacy hasn't filled too many flu symptom prescriptions just yet and aren't experiencing any shortages of any medications, but it is seeing an increase in other sicknesses.
"We're seeing kind of a mix of a lot of different things," Stewart said. "We've seen some sporadic COVID cases, and then some that are probably just running the mill viruses and colds and that kind of thing."
Lewis and Stewart both say that you can protect yourself from the respiratory illnesses by getting your flu shot and RSV vaccine, adding that it's not too late.
"Sometimes there, we have kind of a late season. That happens in March, April. And so you still have some good protection" Stewart said.
"I think we'll see a typical flu pattern, especially with the mix of the holidays with school. I think we just need to be cautious with how we interact with people" said Dr. Lewis.
To read the full report by the ADH, click here.
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