'Everybody is getting it': Northern California flu hospitalizations spike across region
California is reporting very high flu levels this month, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Health officials are urging people to get their flu shots as hospitals fill up.
"I think our hospital, like everywhere in Northern California are seeing increased rates of flu and RSV and that is really impacting all hospitals in our area for sure," said Dr. Rich Florio with Kaiser Permanente, Roseville Physician-in-Chief.
Florio said they are seeing a spike in people hospitalized with severe flu symptoms.
Health officials say part of the problem is immunity declined after people were so careful to limit viral transmission during the pandemic. Now, the flu is getting more of a chance to spread this season.
"People are gathering closer together, not wearing masks, and so they haven't been exposed to the flu in a few years and now we are starting to see it spread," Florio said.
Doctors say with flu cases rising, prevention is key.
"It's not too late to get the flu vaccine, maybe some people think they missed the mark when they were supposed to get it and now why get it? No, it's not too late to get the flu vaccine and we would love to encourage everybody, if you haven't had your flu vaccine, please go in and get the flu vaccine," Florio said.
The CDC recommends everyone ages six months and older get a flu vaccine every year.
So far this season, there have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 7,800 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths from the flu nationwide.
COVID-19 helped hospitals deal with more patients
Hospitals say COVID-19 has prepared them to deal with more patients in the emergency room.
"I would say we certainly have our concerns around that but we have learned a lot in the last two years and we always have mitigation strategies and ways to increase capacity as we need," Florio said.
But, health officials urge people to take precautions and stay home if you are sick – even if you're not COVID-19 positive.
"It still can cause people in your family or co-workers to need to go seek medical care in a medical office, or emergency room and even be admitted. That is why it's important, even if it's not COVID to follow all of the prevention that we know works," he said.
Sacramento County Department of Health says ambulances and hospitals are reporting being stretched thin with a number of people with the flu. They said many people are coming in who can be easily treated with over-the-counter medication or by seeing their primary care doctor.