CHOMP reports increase in flu cases in emergency department

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) The Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula released new data showing an increase in the number of the people showing flu symptoms and testing positive in the emergency department.

According to CHOMP, the number of flu tests went from 36 at the end of September and beginning of October to 278 last week. Between Sept. 29 and Oct. 5, only one person tested positive for the flu, but last week, 91 people tested positive.

The CDC estimates that flu hospitalization rates are similar to what has been seen around this time in recent seasons, but said rates among children and young adults are higher now than in recent seasons. So far, it estimates that there have been at least 19 million cases of the flu, 180,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 flu deaths this season.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, tiredness and possibly vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.

To prevent spreading the flu, CHOMP recommends washing your hands, staying home and limiting exposure to others if you are sick and coughing into your elbow.

CHOMP does not offer flu vaccines for walk-in community members, but they are available at many pharmacies.