Flu cases take big jump locally and statewide

Orleans County has seen a significant spike in the number of flu cases, and statewide the number of the cases is the most since 2004 when the state started doing a weekly tracker of the cases.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reports there were 217 flu cases in the two rural counties in the week ending Dec. 20.

In Orleans, there are 196 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Health Department online flu tracker. The county’s population totals 40,343, according to the 2020 census. A week earlier, Orleans had 60.5 confirmed cases per 100,000 people.

The 196 cases in the most recent week is the third highest for Orleans County this year, topped by 196.8 for the week ending March 22, and 236.6 in the week ending March 15.

Genesee County just had the most confirmed flu cases in a week this year with 239.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending Dec. 20. (Genesee’s population was 58,388 in the 2020 census.)

That 239.9 is up from 60.4 in the week ending Dec. 13. The previous high was 233.7 for week ending Feb. 15.

State-wide there were 71,123 flu cases last week. That is up 38 percent from the previous week. The state Department of Health reports there have now been 189,312 cases of flu so far this season.

The DOH said hospitalizations from the flu rose 63 percent in the week from 2,251 to 3,666 statewide.

State health officials said flu typically peaks in January so the cases may continue to rise.

The Department of Health encourages people to get the flu shot, and take antivirals if it’s been less than 48 hours since symptoms began.

People are also urged to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

People are advised to stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are ill.