MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – One.
This is how UW Health recorded many positive flu tests this flu season.
According to the new figures released by the hospital on Tuesday, UW Health found only that single case of the most common flu that normally occurs at this time of year.
Making that figure more surprising is a comparison with last year, particularly bad for flu cases. At this point in 2020, with Wisconsin’s first case of COVID-19 just days away from being diagnosed, UW Health reported 848 flu cases.
In the previous year, 2019, UW Health recorded 140 positive tests as of February 2.
Positive influenza cases reported at 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 decline because they were initially concerned about having to fight the coronavirus and the flu at the same time.
“I think it definitely would have been a lot worse if we had the current state of Covid and the flu beyond that. I think that was everyone’s concern in the fall, ”said Safdar.
UnityPoint-Meriter has not provided figures on how people tested positive for influenza, but noted that no one has been hospitalized with the flu so far this year.
Safdar credited the fall to the same steps people are taking to keep themselves and others protected from COVID-19, including wearing masks, social detachment and using hand sanitizer.
She added that due to the fall, people may decide to wear masks for future flu seasons, regardless of whether the community is battling the coronavirus.
One factor that seems to have made no difference is the flu vaccines. Figures from the Department of Health Services show that the number of people who chose to be vaccinated this flu season is very similar to last year.
According to their figures, 42% of people received the injection last year and, so far this season, that total is 41%.
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