By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office
While the number of influenza cases was unusually high last week, the great majority of those are earlier infections that were just reported, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.
Of the 170 flu cases reported the week ending Jan. 29, only nine occurred during that seven-day period. The rest are cases from previous weeks that date back to December 2021.
“Fewer San Diegans are getting sick from the flu. However, influenza is unpredictable. People should continue taking precautions, especially getting vaccinated,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “It is not too late to get vaccinated, and the vaccine is safe and effective.”
The latest Influenza Watch Report from the County Health and Human Services Agency shows the following for the week ending Jan. 29, 2022:
Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness: 4% of all visits (compared with 7% the previous week).
Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week: 170 (compared to 28 the previous week).
Total lab-confirmed cases to date: 1,483 (compared to 848 at the same time last season and a 6,614 prior 5-year average during the same week).
Influenza-related deaths reported to date: 2 (compared to 1 at the same time last year).
How to Prevent the Flu
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop. The CDC also indicates you can get a flu and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time, including a booster dose. The coronavirus vaccine does not work against influenza and vice versa.
The flu vaccine is especially important for people at higher risk of having serious complications from the virus.
They include:
People with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, and lung disease, even if symptoms are under control
Pregnant women
People aged 65 years and older
People who live with or care for others who are at higher risk
The influenza vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies and is covered by medical insurance. People with no health care coverage can get vaccinated at one of the County’s six public health centers or a local community clinic. To find the nearest location, visit the County’s Flu Vaccine Locations page or call 2-1-1 San Diego.
In addition to getting vaccinated, people should also do the following to avoid getting sick:
Wash hands thoroughly and often;
Use hand sanitizers, if unable to wash hands;
Stay away from sick people;
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
Clean commonly touched surfaces; and
If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others.
During the 2020-2021 flu season, a total of 848 influenza cases were reported in San Diego, including two deaths. During the 2019-2020 flu season, more than 20,700 flu cases were reported and 108 San Diegans died from influenza.
José A. Álvarez is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office.
