Cases of the influenza virus are starting to decline, according to Dr. Lawrence Martinelli, an infectious disease specialist at Covenant Health.
“Over the last two weeks or so, we have seen a decrease in flu activity,” said Martinelli, with 94 cases between February 10-24, according to hospital data.
However, with the flu recording its worst epidemic since 2010 when documentation began, it could be a couple more months before that number reaches zero.
“The amount of flu we are seeing has decreased from a very high level to a high level. There is still a good amount of influenza in the region,” he said.
The hospital saw many cases among young adults and college students who did not get the vaccine, he said.
Because the virus could be around a couple more months, Martinelli recommends still getting the flu shot as it could be effective.
“The vaccine this year is only one-third effective. 1 out of 3 people who get the vaccine will be protected. What we see in those that the vaccine isn’t completely protective, is that there is a less severe illness. Rather than being sick for a week, they are only sick for 24 hours,” he said.
