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York County sees more cases, hospitalizations with SC’s ‘bad’ flu season. What

to know BY CAILYN DERICKSON UPDATED DECEMBER 09, 2022 1:30 PM

Hospitalizations have spiked in York County this fall do to more cases of flu. The flu has spread faster

than usual this year in York County — and statewide — but it’s possible South Carolinians haven’t yet

experienced the worst of the virus, local health officials said. “The peak for flu is going to be anywhere

from December to February, so we don’t know the full extent of it yet,” Dr. Javed Patka, Medical

Director of Hospital Medicine at Piedmont Medical Center — Fort Mill, said. “Rates are still going up.”

And significant flu activity can last as late as May, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This

year’s flu season has been more severe nationwide, but South Carolina has one of the highest rates of

cases compared to other states, CDC data shows. To date, South Carolina has had 36,562 cases reported

since the flu season began this year. Last year, the state had 696 cases reported over the same period,

data from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control shows.

The latest data also shows that 8.2% of patient visits to statewide healthcare providers last week were

for flu-like illness, which was above the state’s 3.6% baseline. York County was one of the 21 counties

that reported flu activity above the state’s baseline. “People are having more significant symptoms and

severe symptoms compared to previous years, and that’s what’s most concerning,” Patka said. A map

showing rates of flu in each state as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
WHY IS THIS YEAR’S FLU SEASON SO BAD? Last week, there were nine new flu-associated deaths in

South Carolina. And so far, there have been 30 total flu-associated deaths reported this year, DHEC data

shows. Last year, the state reported two total flu-related deaths over the same period. And there were

281 flu-associated hospitalizations reported by 49 hospitals in the state last week. So far, there have

been 1,814 hospitalizations reported this season, DHEC data shows. Last year, there were 63 flu-

associated hospitalizations reported over the same period.

“We are having a bad flu season this year,” Patka said. “We’re seeing a lot of ER visits and an increase in

hospitalizations related to flu illness.” Meanwhile, COVID hasn’t completely eased and cases of RSV, or

respiratory syncytial virus, also are surging statewide and across the country. “With the combination of

that, we’ve had quite a larger amount than we would have expected to compared to previous years as

far as hospitalizations for patients coming in with respiratory illnesses,” Patka said.

There are several factors contributing to this year’s significant spread, he said. “It’s probably a

combination of kids being back in school unmasked and in previous years, we had COVID precautions,”

Patka said. “That led to just a general lower rate of flu-like illnesses.” And the time of year has likely

played a role, he said. “The holiday season also impacts it,” Patka said. “There are more travelers and

more large gatherings, so it’s just a combination of everything.”

WHO IS MORE AT RISK OF SEVERE FLU? Like COVID, there are certain individuals more susceptible to

developing complications from flu, Patka said. The vulnerable group includes young children, adults

aged 65 years and older, pregnant individuals and people with chronic medical conditions, such as

asthma, COPD, other lung diseases, heart disease and diabetes. “Most people are going to recover from

flu,” Patka said. “Once you get it, have a good amount of fluid intake. Take Tylenol if needed. Stay away

from people while you’re sick.” But it’s important patients, especially those with increased risk of

complications, know when to seek medical attention. “Recognizing the severe symptoms, such as
shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, dizziness, feeling like you’re severely dehydrated and you can’t

get enough fluids — those are all concerning symptoms and when you should rush to go seek medical

attention,” Patka said.

HOW TO BEST PROTECT YOURSELF The flu vaccine is typically recommended in September or October,

but Patka said it’s not too late to get it. “You’re still going to get good protection in the coming

months,”he said. “Most years, flu is going to peak in January-February time, so the best thing you can do

is vaccinate.” On top of that, he said good hygiene is important. “That includes hand washing, don’t go

around others that you know are sick, avoid touching your eyes, your nose and your mouth and cover

your nose while you’re coughing or sneezing,” Patka said. “Most spread is going to be direct person-to-

person, but you can pick up the virus on other surfaces.”

For details on where to get flu shots in South Carolina, people can visit DHEC’s website here. This story

was originally published December 9, 2022 12:59 PM. CAILYN DERICKSON Cailyn Derickson is a city

government and politics reporter for The Herald, covering York, Chester and Lancaster counties. Cailyn

graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has previously worked at The Pilot

and The News and Observer. Take Us With You Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in

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