Flu cases surge in South Carolina with 312 hospitalizations, 2 deaths in late December

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South Carolina Department of Public Health

Photo: South Carolina Department of Public Health

(WPDE) — Flu cases are on the rise in the Palmetto State and most recent statistics are showing increased flu activity.

Most recent South Carolina Department of Public Health data shows 312 flu-related hospitalizations and two flu-related deaths during the week of December 22 to the 28.

Infection Preventionist at the Conway Medical Center, Susan Larrimore, said she’s seeing a higher flu positivity rate this time of year than she has in the past.

“Nationally right now it’s 18.7 % so we are below that average but for Horry County, it’s higher than normal for South Carolina,” Larrimore said.

Doctor, Linda Bell, with the state’s department of public health, said every flu season looks different.

“Flu is simply unpredictable, we don’t know from one season to the next, in general, the severity. We have seen a wide variation of when flu activity will begin.”

The most recent DPH Flu Watch Report shows Horry, Dillion, Chesterfield, Darlington, and Florence counties are all above the state’s baseline of 3.2 percent.

“Our positivity rate for the flu in December was 10.9 which was pretty high for December. Today it’s 12.9 percent and will continue to rise rapidly,” Larrimore said.

Doctor Bell said it’s typical to see a rise in cases around the holidays because of travel and social gatherings.

“Something that can moderate flu activity is high vaccination coverage in a population. So we have a lot of people unprotected we might expect to see obviously more flu activity,” Doctor Bell explained.

Both experts said that the flu shot is not 100 percent effective, but it can prevent severe symptoms and having to be hospitalized.

Dr. Bell and Larrimore also said people should stay home, where a mask, and get tested if they feel sick to stop the spreading of the virus.