Flu cases are increasing nationally, including in South Carolina

CONWAY S.C. (WBTW) — Flu circumstances are rising nationally, together with in South Carolina.

As of April 9, there have been 483 circumstances reported, a spike in circumstances from the week prior.

Conway Medical Middle Chief Medical Officer Dr. Paul Richardson stated they haven’t seen a spike, and it’s been a reasonably regular flu season for them.

Richardson stated with out realizing the specifics for every neighborhood, their well being and security protocols, vaccination charges and the pressure of influenza in that neighborhood may all be components that play a job in a spike in circumstances.

“I’m certain there are areas, the place there are extra masks mandates, they’re a bit extra vigilant on not getting in these confined areas, they might alter their trajectory on the flu spectrum, as a result of you already know they might delay it or they might change the best way that the flu goes to indicate up of their communities,” Richardson stated.

Though South Carolina noticed a rise in circumstances, the numbers are minimal in comparison with the central and south-central areas of the nation the place the numbers are average to excessive, in accordance with the CDC.

One other issue within the unfold of the flu is that this yr’s vaccine provided little safety towards an infection. The CDC present in a research final month, that the shot was simply 16% efficient at stopping delicate or average circumstances.

“You bought to have a look at statistics from two totally different views with reference to this type of factor, so particularly if a affected person is somebody who has persistent lung points, superior aged, with loads of medical issues, particularly, 16 % shouldn’t be too dangerous,” Richardson stated.

Conway Medical Middle has had 58 constructive influenza circumstances since April 1.