South Carolina still has hospitalizations, and continues to rank among the highest in the state for flu cases. This is according to the CDC. Data from South Carolina. DHEC flu hospitalizations continue to increase. In a briefing this morning, DHEC leaders said flu cases appear to have dropped over the past week, but that may be due to a delay in declaring holidays. Leaders say widespread flu activity continues in the state and they expect cases to increase next week. DHEC says the flu vaccine is effective against this season's strain of the virus, and recommends getting the shot. The best prevention for flu, RSV and Covid is five steps. Get your vaccinations if you're eligible. Antivirus. Um, usually. Oh, cover your cough. UM stay at home. If you are sick. Also, if you're at risk and you're going to an event where they're participating, a lot of people consider wearing a mask, Arty says. Influenza cases are also on the rise
A new report shows where South Carolina has the most COVID-19, flu, and RSV cases
Health officials in South Carolina have updated a report that shows where respiratory illnesses such as the flu and Covid-19 occur most in the state and how many outbreaks have been reported for each illness. You can view the full report here or read the summary below: Data from October 8, 2023 through December 30: 333 COVID-19 outbreaks were reported in long-term care facilities, 10 outbreaks were reported in child care facilities and 16 outbreaks were reported in school settings. During the same period, there were 13 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, seven outbreaks in child care facilities and 117 outbreaks in school settings. RSV had three outbreaks in long-term care facilities, 46 outbreaks in child care settings, and 23 outbreaks in school settings. What is an explosion defined by DHEC? Outbreaks in Schools and Child Care Centers: Defined as an outbreak of 20% or more students/staff in a shared setting with no more than five individuals absent or sent home due to influenza, Covid-19, and/or RSV within 72 hours. “Outbreaks in long-term care facilities are different for each disease: Influenza: Two events among residents or staff in the same unit or with the same exposure who test positive for influenza within 72 hours. 19: Resident and/or three or more facility-acquired covids reported via NHSN.RSV -19 Incidence of one or more facility-acquired Covid-19 cases among patients, reported by NHSN.RSV: An occurrence or increase in the number of cases of RSV greater than would normally be expected in a long-term care facility.Data from Dec. 24 to Dec. 30 in this report show the following: School Setting: December 23: One Covid-19 outbreak, eight flu outbreaks reported, one RSV outbreak reported. Week of December 30, no outbreaks reported at any of those settings. Child Care Setting: Week of December 23: One Covid-19 outbreak, one flu No outbreaks were reported and no RSV cases were reported during the week of December 30, and no outbreaks were reported in any of those settings. Long-term care settings: During the week of December 2328 cases of Covid-19 were reported, two flu cases were reported and one RSV outbreak was reported. During the week of December 30, there were 46 reported cases of Covid-19, six cases of influenza and one reported RSV outbreak. The report also details hospital visits for Covid-19, influenza and RSV on a weekly basis. It shows more than 5,000 visits for flu in the week of December 23. The same week showed about 1,000 visits for Covid-19 and less than 1,000 for RSV. According to the report, in the week of December 23, more than 500 people were hospitalized for the flu and about 400 for COVID-19.
Health officials in South Carolina have updated a report that shows where respiratory illnesses such as the flu and Covid-19 occur most in the state and how many outbreaks have been reported for each illness.
View the full report Here Or read the summary below:
Data from October 8, 2023 to December 30, 2023:
- There were 333 reported COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, 10 outbreaks in child care facilities and 16 outbreaks in school settings.
- During the same period, there were 13 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, seven outbreaks in child care facilities and 117 outbreaks in school settings.
- RSV had three outbreaks in long-term care facilities, 46 outbreaks in child care settings, and 23 outbreaks in school settings.
What is an explosion defined by DHEC?
Outbreaks in schools and childcare centersAn outbreak is defined as 20% or more students/staff in a shared setting absent or sent home due to influenza, Covid-19 and/or RSV within 72 hours.”
Outbreaks in long-term care facilities are different for each disease:
- Influenza: The occurrence of two cases within the same unit or among residents or employees with the same exposure who test positive for influenza within 72 hours.
- Covid-19: One or more facility-acquired Covid-19 cases among resident and/or three or more facility-acquired Covid-19 patients, reported via NHSN.
- RSV: Incidence or increase in the number of RSV cases above what would normally be expected in a long-term care facility.
In this report Dec. Data from 24 to 30 December shows the following:
School System:
- Week of December 23: One Covid-19 outbreak reported, eight flu cases reported, one RSV infection reported.
- During the week of December 30, no outbreaks were reported in any of those systems.
Child Care System:
- Week of December 23: One Covid-19 outbreak reported, one influenza outbreak and no RSV cases reported
- During the week of December 30, no outbreaks were reported in any of those systems.
Long-term care settings: During the week of December 23
- 28 COVID-19 outbreaks were reported, two influenza outbreaks were reported and one RSV outbreak was reported.
- During the week of December 30, there were 46 reported cases of Covid-19, six cases of influenza and one reported RSV outbreak.
The report also details hospital visits for Covid-19, influenza and RSV on a weekly basis. It shows more than 5,000 visits for flu in the week of December 23. The same week showed about 1,000 visits for Covid-19 and less than 1,000 for RSV.
According to the report, in the week of December 23, more than 500 people were hospitalized for the flu and about 400 for COVID-19.
