There could be a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the brutal flu season that has affected thousands of metro area residents.
Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour says the volume of positive lab tests remains high, but indicators of severe influenza-like illness are decreasing. "We are not out of the woods. I would say we are leveling off at least."
She says last week they received 491 positive influenza test results compared to 435 reported in the previous week. "However, the percentage of outpatient visits with influenza-like illness, emergency department visits and hospital admissions for all decreased this week." Pour says the percentage of children absent from school also decreased over the last week.
Since October 1 a total of 4825 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported this season, making it the worst one in ten years. Dr. Pour says 22 confirmed influenza outbreaks have been reported this season in long-term care facilities.
There have been 17 adult deaths related to the flu, fourteen over 65 years of age and three between 50 and 64 years of age. Dr. Pour says all of them had previous health issues. There have been no child deaths related to the flu.
Pour says many medical clinics are prescribing medications over the phone to prevent people from coming in and possibly spreading the flu. "The physician may prescribe an anti-viral so they don't even go in. Sometimes going into a waiting room is not the best thing in the world," Pour says.
While the end of the flu season may be in sight, Pour urges everyone to stay vigilant. "If you are sick, don't go out stay at home and hand washing that we talk about so often."