According to UW Health, flu season is practically nonexistent this year due to COVID--19 precautions.
UW Health officials prepared for a 'twin pandemic' with COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, however, data collected shows there's virtually no local flu cases this year.
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“The decline in flu numbers is encouraging because I think it would have been worse if we had high numbers of COVID-19 cases coinciding with influenza cases,” said Dr. Nasia Safdar, medical director of infection control at UW Health. “In light of this sharp drop in flu cases, the public might consider wearing masks in public during flu season in the future, regardless of the COVID-19 situation.”
This time last year, UW Health reported more than 1,100 positive influenza tests. This year, only one has been reported and confirmed.
Health officials credit the flu season decline to precautions from the COVID-19 pandemic, like wearing a mask, social distancing, and staying home when sick.