Flu cases are on the rise in Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine (WMTW) – The Maine Middle for Illness Management says that influenza exercise is on the rise in Maine, although the severity estimate stays low for your entire state.

The state stories there have been 716 lab confirmed circumstances of the flu in Maine final week, essentially the most in a single week since March 2020.

There have been additionally 17 folks hospitalized with the flu. Penobscot County had, by far, essentially the most variety of circumstances whereas York County had essentially the most hospitalizations.

The positivity charge for influenza testing final week was 21.7%, additionally the best since March 2020.

Dr. Nirav Shah, Director of the Maine CDC, says final week had the best variety of assessments carried out this season, 1,210, suggesting the excessive positivity charge is just not from an absence of testing.

Public well being officers in Maine investigated 9 flu-like sickness outbreaks final week, essentially the most since February 2020.

There have been 32 outbreaks investigated this flu season.

The U.S. CDC says it seems the present flu vaccine is barely 16% efficient at stopping sickness.

Shah calls that “not nice in any respect” however says analysis does counsel the vaccine remains to be far more practical at stopping critical outcomes, even when the shot doesn’t preserve you from getting sick in any respect.

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