HORROR FLU SEASON STRIKES

SHOCK FIGURES: Infection rates 10 times worse than this time last year

FLU cases are skyrocketing in Geelong, with a tenfold increase in cases compared to this time last year. New data reveals Geelong has had 743 recorded infections since January 1, almost double the cases from the whole of 2018.

FLU cases are skyrocketing in Geelong and are currently 10 times the number recorded at this time last year.

And the number of cases this year is already almost double the total for Greater Geelong in 2018.

New Vic Health data reveals that in Geelong, there were 743 cases of influenza recorded between January 1 to June 15.

Over the same period last year there were just 73, and there were 427 for the whole of 2018.

And in 2017, a year with a shocking flu season, between January 1 and June 15 there were just 68 cases recorded in the region.

It comes as a surge in flu cases continues statewide.

From January 1 to June 15, there were 18,644 cases recorded in Victoria.

It’s more than seven times the number of cases statewide during the same period last year, when there were 2485 recorded, the Vic Health statistics show.

According to the data, Geelong’s rate of flu cases per 100,000 people is at 509.9 for the year to June 15, slightly outpacing the state rate at 501.7 per 100,000.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos urged Victorians to stay home if sick, and avoid taking sick children into childcare or school. “This is how the flu is spreading across the community,” Ms Mikakos said.

“It’s really important that people take heed of those simple precautions.”

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said uptake of the flu vaccinations across the region had been good and flu stocks had withstood demand.

Ms Bibby said there was still time to take advantage of the vaccine, and people could contact a GP, pharmacy, or the Barwon Immunisation Service.

Epworth Geelong’s emergency department recorded its busiest month this year for flu presentations (24) in May.

It’s the highest figure for the Waurn Ponds hospital since August last year, when there were 27, an Epworth spokeswoman said.

The University Hospital Geelong emergency department is seeing a 6 per cent increase in presentations month on month compared to the same time last year.

“While respiratory illnesses place added pressure on emergency services during the colder months, the current trend can be attributed to population growth and people presenting with more complex healthcare needs,” Ms Bibby said.

“This month the average daily ED presentations sit at around 220, peaking in early June with 254 presentations.”