TidalHealth Talks Flu Season Update

(SALISBURY, Md) – For some people like Renee Tate, the last few weeks have been rough for the people around her. She’s seen plenty of them deal with the peak of Flu Season.

“Some of my friends that I have talked to are under the weather are not going out like they usually do. A lot of the elderly are actually afraid to come out,” says Renee.

Just down the road at TidalHealth Hospital, they’re seeing the peak for Flu season. To the point where under advisement from the Maryland Department of Health, they’re taking precautions for their staff.

Dr. Chris Snyder with TidalHealth tells WMDT, “So it’s pretty normal to see at this time of year. And again, not surprised. Typical volumes were up a little bit more than we were last year. But again, we’re doing okay with it still in a yellow zone and masking and doing all those good things.”

According to the latest information from the Maryland Department of Health, nearly 500 people are hospitalized across the state for the latest strain of influenza. With over 80 people hospitalized for RSV.

With those numbers, people like Renee are taking no chances.

She says, “We do a lot of hand sanitizing at home and being cautious.”

And we’re not close to the end of the peak of the flu season.

“There’s a lot of big reasons for that. But yeah, we’re going to be seeing that unfortunately rise probably between now and the end of February is usually our typical time,” says Dr. Snyder.

And as that post-holiday bump for flu and respiratory illness continues. Groups like Title Health are urging people to practice better hygiene over the course of the next couple of months.

For a more detailed breakdown of Flu and Respiratory Illness numbers, you can check out the latest statistics from the Maryland Department of Health’s website.