Lane County’s top public health official says Oregon may be approaching the peak of flu season.
Influenza rates in Oregon have been climbing steeply this year, according to state data. The last week of January saw a test positivity rate above 30%, more than doubling the rate from earlier in the month.
“If people haven't gotten vaccinated already, they may get infected," said Lane County’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Luedtke. "And if they are still willing to get vaccinated, they still may get some protection for the next six to eight weeks.”
Luedtke said while this season’s flu vaccine didn’t accurately predict one of the commonly circulating strains, it still appears to be working quite well.
He said for those who get sick, antiviral therapy is an underused option to prevent serious illness. He said people at high-risk should make a plan with their provider.
"That can make the difference between life and death," said Luedtke. "Or—if you don't want to be so macabre—life and having an expensive medical bill because you had to go to urgent care or the emergency department."
In an email to KLCC Tuesday, PeaceHealth spokesperson Joe Waltasti said the Riverbend hospital in Springfield had seen an increase in affected patients in the last two weeks.
"Almost 10% of our currently admitted patients at RiverBend are due to complications from flu," said Waltasti. "Our COVID numbers are much lower than this time last year, however, so overall we are busy, but not at record levels by any means."
