Flu now at 'very high' levels in Massachusetts
BOSTON - The Department of Public Health said Friday that flu activity in Massachusetts is "very high," with more than 5,400 new cases confirmed in the past week.
Last year, the state never reached "very high" flu activity. In 2020, "very high" levels were not seen until late January.
The virus is taking the lead within the triple threat straining our health care systems.
"My mom is also here, she just got over the flu. My sister-in-law just got over the flu. My brother has three kids and they had flu, RSV and COVID," said a local mother.
Dr. Robyn Riseberg saw the flu surge in her office this week; many of her young patients presented with frightening, high fevers.
"It's a fall/winter that I've never experienced in my entire career," said Dr. Robyn Riseberg of Boston Community Pediatrics.
Among children, flu can sometimes be followed by ear infections. Securing amoxicillin for patients remains a challenge; and now parents are even struggling to find pain medicine.
"We went to a bunch of different CVS pharmacies and wanted to be thoughtful about having enough for her but also not hoarding when there is a shortage," the parent added.
As many travel and attend close indoor gatherings this month, doctors are urging everyone to reach for those well-practiced pandemic precautions.
"It's hard because you want people back and in the world and enjoying their families especially around the holidays, being able to do things. We still need to be careful," Dr. Riseberg said.
Flu vaccines and COVID boosters are very accessible at many free walk-in clinics. Across Massachusetts just about 38% of people have received a flu shot this year.
