Whereas the state is seeing an increase in COVID-19 instances, influenza instances are additionally on the rise.
The state reported greater than 700 optimistic instances of influenza final week, in line with Maine Middle for Illness Management and Prevention Director Nirav Shah.
That’s the best variety of instances since March 2020, and greater than double the variety of instances reported all through the whole 2020-2021 flu season, when 215 optimistic instances had been reported.
1/I sometimes submit about #COVID, nevertheless it’s necessary to not neglect #influenza.
Influenza exercise is on the rise. Although sometimes low this time of 12 months, Maine has been experiencing a rise. Most indicators are larger than some other time because the begin of the pandemic.
— Nirav D. Shah (@nirav_mainecdc) May 18, 2022
The state has investigated 9 outbreaks and 17 individuals had been hospitalized with flu-like signs up to now week. Visits for flu-like signs make up 3.4 % of outpatient visits, in line with Shah.
In 2020, Maine reported 237 deaths from influenza or pneumonia with 11.5 deaths per a inhabitants of 100,000, in line with america Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
Influenza infections will be handled with antiviral medicines that may severely lower the danger of problems. The danger of getting influenza will be diminished by correctly washing your arms, masking your mouth if you cough and getting vaccinated.