Boston Public Well being Fee points flu warning

Well being

Boston has seen greater than 700 circumstances of the flu prior to now week alone.

Boston well being officers are urging flu pictures and mask-wearing indoors amid an “early and quick” rise of flu circumstances all through the town.

Town has seen 1,784 circumstances of influenza since Oct. 1, with greater than 700 circumstances reported prior to now week alone, the Boston Public Well being Fee stated in a information launch. The fee additionally famous a speedy improve in flu-related pediatric hospitalizations prior to now week.

“With the flu spreading in Boston at such a excessive price, there may be an pressing want for extra residents to get vaccinated to guard themselves and assist forestall a good larger inflow of circumstances and hospitalizations throughout and after the vacations.” stated Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the town’s public well being commissioner, in an announcement.

Statewide, Massachusetts noticed “very excessive” flu exercise final week, greater than throughout the identical interval in six earlier flu seasons, in keeping with a Division of Public Well being. board. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention Expensive there have been at the very least 8.7 million sicknesses, 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths from the flu this season, together with 14 pediatric flu deaths.

Flu season sometimes runs from October to Could, sometimes peaking between December and February, in keeping with the BPHC, which famous {that a} excessive degree of flu circumstances is happening a lot earlier within the season than normal. The pattern arises as hospitals throughout the nation expertise a improve in pediatric circumstances of the respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, together with the present pandemic of COVID-19.

In accordance with the BPHC, 59% of reported flu circumstances had been amongst youngsters and adolescents below the age of 18, with African American and Latino residents additionally reporting larger charges. Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain and the South Finish are the neighborhoods with the best case charges, the fee stated.

“I urge everybody to be protected this Christmas season,” Ojikutu stated. “Keep residence in case you are sick and name your physician to ask about therapies for the flu and COVID-19, along with staying updated on vaccinations, put on a masks indoors to scale back the danger of sickness.”

Flu signs can embody fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nostril, physique aches, headache, chills and fatigue, in keeping with the BPHC.

Folks at larger danger of significant issues, together with older adults, younger youngsters, pregnant folks, and folks with sure medical situations, might profit from prescription antiviral medicines that assist shorten the period of sickness and forestall critical sickness, in keeping with the fee.

In relation to managing the flu, it is also vital to relaxation and drink loads of water and different clear fluids, the BPHC stated.

Are you on the lookout for a flu shot? The fee has a number of walk-in websites the place residents can get free flu pictures, in addition to COVID-19 checks, pictures and boosters, with out the necessity for insurance coverage or identification.

• Bruce C. Bolling Constructing – 2302 Washington St., Roxbury. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12 to twenty pm.
• Lena Park Improvement Company — 150 American Legion Freeway, Dorchester. Open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday and Friday from 9:30 am to five:30 pm; and Wednesday from 12 to 19 pm.
• Josephine A. Fiorentino Neighborhood Middle — 123 Antwerp St., Allston. Open on Sundays from midday to 4 pm; Monday to Wednesday from 9 am to three pm; and Thursday from 5 to 9 pm
• BCYF Hyde Park—1179 River St., Hyde Park. Open Tuesdays from 12 midday to 8pm and Thursdays from 9am to 5pm

For extra details about the flu or assist find a well being care supplier, Boston residents can name the Mayor’s Healthline at 617-534-5050.