SEATTLE, Wash. – Flu season is off to a historically severe start.
The CDC says flu-related hospitalizations are the highest since 2011 at this point in the year.
Dr. John Lynch, the director of infection prevention and control at Harborview Medical Center, says timing is also unusual this year with flu cases spiking about a month early.
As of Thursday, December 8th, about 100 inpatients were being treated for the flu or COVID -19 across UW Medicine’s hospitals.
Lynch urges people to protect themselves against respiratory illnesses by getting vaccinated, boosted and staying home when they are sick.
Adults 65 and older, as well as children under the age of five have the highest current rates of hospitalization for the flu.