Flu cases on the decline for the first time this season

For the first time this year, flu cases are falling nationwide, a trend Central Coast hospitals can confirm.

“I would say, yes, significantly. I mean we still see some cases — definitely not near as much as what we saw back in December and January,” said Carla Spencer, emergency services director at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.

The latest statistic from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 6.4 percent of doctor visits were for flu-like symptoms, down from 7.5 percent a week ago.

It’s an encouraging sign but medical professionals said the season is still raging.

“We are not out of the woods yet, you know, flu season lasts at least until the end of March into the beginning of April, so you still want to take precautions, you still want to make sure that you stay home if you are sick, good hand washing,” Spencer said.

Health experts said it’s not too late to get the flu shot, even though it’s only 36 percent effective.

“Because it does give you some degree of protection. And so it is definitely useful to have the shot. Sometimes it lessens the severity if you do get the flu, and you know, there are some strains that it covers,” Spencer said.

Those with existing health conditions are especially vulnerable.

“Anybody that has some sort of cardiac or diabetes, any sort of pulmonary, you know, lung issues should be particularly careful,” Spencer said.

According to the CDC, more than 21,000 flu-related hospitalizations were reported in the past four months. Ninety-seven children have died as of Feb. 17.