CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New flu numbers show a rise in cases for both North Carolina and South Carolina, with the Palmetto State being in the top two for flu activity nationwide.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, North Carolina remains in the very high category for the flu. Doctors say they expect those numbers to keep rising, especially after the holidays.
South Carolina has reported 18 flu deaths so far this year. So far in North Carolina, 30 people have died due to the flu. Three of those were children.
"We continue to be the among highest flu activity in the country," Dr. Martha Buchanan, the lead medical consultant for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), said.
Dr. Buchanan said Hospitalizations for the flu continue to rise, according to Buchanan, who explained the state surpassed its one-week percentage of people seeing their primary care doctor for flu-like symptoms. She also said South Carolina passed peak flu hospitalizations from last year.
With Christmas now behind us and New Year's Eve right around the corner, Buchanan said they fear that the flu numbers could continue to rise.
"We are not done with flu yet. We don't know if we have peaked," Buchanan said. "We don't know if they are going to go up or down."
Buchanan said vaccinations, hand-washing, and staying home when you are sick are the best things to do this flu season. According to health officials, vaccinations for flu shots are down to 42% from 45% in 2022.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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