Wisconsin flu hospitalizations are at the 'highest weekly total' since January 2018, DHS says
The rise in respiratory illnesses continues across Wisconsin with "very high" overall activity levels, recent Wisconsin Department of Health Services data shows — less than a month after health officials put out a memo urging Wisconsinites to take preventative measures amid the uptick.
For the week ending Jan. 25, DHS data indicates specific viruses have varying activity levels despite "very high" overall activity. COVID-19 activity is "moderate" but "decreasing" while respiratory syncytial virus activity is "high" but "stable."
Influenza, however, is a different story. DHS data shows activity is "very high" and "increasing" — and DHS Respiratory Disease Epidemiologist Tom Haupt told the Journal Sentinel in an email influenza type A is the "predominant virus" spreading across the state.
Approximately 19,033 flu tests were conducted statewide for the week of Jan. 19 to Jan. 25, 7,000 — or 36.8% — of which were positive, DHS data shows.
There were also 1,349 positive Covid-19 tests and 1,371 positive RSV tests for the same time period.
Hospitalizations for the flu are also high, with 2,018 cases reported for the current season, according to Haupt. He added that "over 600 hospitalizations" were reported for the week ending Jan. 25
"This is the highest weekly total since January 2018," he said.
Respiratory illnesses are usually more common in winter, and Haupt said it is "hard to pinpoint any specific factors" contributing to the current uptick.
Haupt said DHS encourages Wisconsinites to get vaccinated against respiratory illnesses. "It is not too late," he said.
To schedule a vaccination appointment, you can reach out to your primary care provider, local or Tribal health departments and community clinics. You can also visit vaccines.gov, or call 211 or 877-947-2211.
If you don't have health insurance, you can check your eligibility for the state's free vaccine programs for children and adults, according to DHS. You can also visit Healthcare.gov for more options.
To protect yourself from such illnesses, you should also:
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Avoid being around those who are ill
Gather outside when possible
Wear a high-quality mask
In addition to the above, if you end up catching a respiratory illness, DHS says you should:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then disposing of the tissue
Stay home when symptomatic, except if you need medical care
More: Wisconsinites urged to protect themselves with respiratory illnesses on the rise
More: Is it safe to eat eggs as bird flu spreads in Wisconsin? Here are some food safety tips
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Flu, respiratory illness levels 'very high' in Wisconsin, DHS says
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