Flu cases are on the rise in Columbus, expected to keep increasing during holidays

Positive lab tests from medical providers were up almost 40% at the end of last week, the most recent data available, and confirmed influenza hospitalizations are up almost 70%, Roberts said.

Influenza cases are increasing week over week, and public health experts expect that the numbers will only continue to rise over the holidays due to family and large get-togethers.

“We’re definitely seeing an increase in flu cases, pretty much in almost every indicator that we look at,” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Columbus Public Health commissioner.

Positive lab tests from medical providers were up almost 40% at the end of last week, the most recent data available, and confirmed influenza hospitalizations are up almost 70%, Roberts said. The numbers aren’t surprising, Roberts said, as there are increases in respiratory illnesses every year at this time.

Cases are rising across the state and nation as well, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Seasonal influenza activity is up in most parts of the country, with the highest levels in the Southeast, Southcentral area and West Coast, according to the CDC.

In a recent news conference, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, confirmed that influenza cases are on the rise in the state. That’s as cases of other respiratory illnesses rise, including reported COVID-19 cases.

Earlier this month, Ohio’s case status determined by the CDC was minimal flu infections, which Gastaldo expected to go up. Cases have been increasing recently, but remain lower than the state’s five-year average, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Ohio’s case rate is moderate, according to national CDC data, but there has been an uptick recently, Dr. Joe Gastaldo, an infectious disease specialist and vice president of clinical affairs at Ohiohealth’s Dublin Methodist Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital, told The Dispatch earlier this month.

The numbers began to tick up after the Thanksgiving holiday, and, as people continue to gather throughout December — often indoors due to Ohio’s weather — the cases continue to rise, Roberts said. One of the reasons for the spread is that people go to indoor celebrations and have close contact with others, often even when they might feel a little under the weather, she said.

“We always encourage people to stay home if you’re sick, if you’re not feeling like yourself,” Roberts said. “Stay home. It’s not worth it to risk it, to give whatever it is to others.”

Protect yourself heading into the holidays

People feel compelled to go out during the holidays even though it’s really important to stay home if you don’t feel well, Roberts said. If you must go out, it’s a good idea to wear a mask, she said.

And it’s never too late to get vaccinated, Roberts said, against both the flu and COVID-19.

Flu season starts in October and lasts through March.

Based on past history, it would not be unusual for cases to continue to rise, according to the Ohio Department of Health, as December and January are considered the peak respiratory virus season. Roberts expects cases to continue to rise through January and February. “These numbers we’re seeing today are only going to get worse in January and February,” she said. “The virus is still circulating, people are going to be again, traveling and gathering over the Christmas and New Year holidays and in January and February, kids are going to be back in the classroom.”

Cases typically rise in February and March, she said. To protect yourself and others, Roberts said to stay home if you’re sick, get vaccinated, wash your hands, and cover your coughs and sneezes. The flu can cause a cough, sore throat, fatigue, headaches and body aches and fever, according to the CDC. It can also spur more serious complications, such as pneumonia. During the 2021 to 2022 flu season, an estimated 5,000 Americans died from it.

“The flu is a serious thing,” Dr. Mahdee Sobhanie, an infectious disease specialist at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, warned in October. “Flu can kill people, it can make you very sick and if you get the flu, you could have potential complications afterwards.” dking@dispatch.com @Danaeking