Flu and RSV on the Rise in the Area

Daniel Prince

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Chief nursing officer at Union Medical Center to be on WBCU Wednesday morning

With flu and RSV cases on the rise this year, it is important to know how to protect yourself from these and other respiratory viruses. Katie Henderson, Chief Nursing Officer for Union Medical Center, will be on WBCU Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. to talk about the flu and other viruses, how to protect yourself against them, and what to do if you get them.

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, South Carolina has seen widespread flu activity, with more than 3500 lab-confirmed tests reported out of more than 8600 this flu season so far. Flu activity has continued to increase in all areas of the state. Last week, 251 influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported by 46 hospitals statewide, which is more than half of all hospitalizations reported this flu season. There have been 5 influenza-associated deaths this season, including 3 in the past week. Type A has been the most prevalent in lab tests this year so far. High influenza-like illness activity is coming earlier this year than in any flu season since at least 2014.