MADISON, Delete. (WMTV) – One.
That’s the number of positive flu studies UW Health has recorded this flu season.
According to new numbers released by the hospital on Tuesday, UW Health has found just that one case of the most common flu that typically rolls through this time of year.
Making that number even more staggering is a comparison to last year, a particularly bad one for flu cases. At this point in 2020, with the first case of COVID-19 in Wisconsin just days away from diagnosis, UW Health had recorded 848 cases of flu.
In the previous year, 2019, UW Health had counted 140 positive tests on February 2.
Positive flu cases reported to UW Health on Feb 2 of each year:
- 2018-19: 140
- 2019-20: 848
- 2020-21: 1
Dr. UW Health’s Nasia Safdar said health officials were relieved by the dramatic decline because they were initially worried that they would have to fight the coronavirus and the flu at the same time.
“I think it would certainly have been much worse if we had recovered from both Covid’s current condition and the flu. I think everyone was concerned about that in the fall, ”said Safdar.
UnityPoint-Meriter did not provide figures on how people tested positive for flu, but noted that no one has been hospitalized with the flu so far this year.
Safdar attributed the decline to the same steps people take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, including wearing masks, social distancing, and using hand sanitizer.
She added that in light of the decline, people may decide to wear masks in future flu seasons regardless of whether the community is fighting the coronavirus.
One factor that doesn’t seem to have made a difference is flu shots. Figures from the Dept. of Health Services show that the number of people who chose to get vaccinated this flu season is very similar to last year.
According to the figures, 42 percent of people got the chance last year, and so far this season the total is 41 percent.
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