From Sfgate · · 1m 10s
Bay Area flu surge early this year
Bay Area reports first flu death as flu cases spike early in season.
In brief
Bay Area reports first flu death as flu cases spike early in season. Bay Area has first flu-related death this season with hospitalizations rising to 2.39 per 100,000 residents. Originally reported by Sfgate.
Flu death reported
San Francisco Health Department reported the season’s first flu-related fatality this week.
Hospitalizations surge
Flu-related hospitalizations rose to 2.39 per 100,000 residents as of Saturday from 0.12 per 100,000 in mid-September.
Health officer statement
San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said flu and COVID should be taken seriously, especially for high-risk groups.
Early flu activity
Influenza levels started rising in local wastewater last month with high levels in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Redwood City and San Jose.
High positivity rates
California Department of Public Health data shows Bay Area flu tests have near-10% positivity rates this week.
Early season warning
Dr. Monica Gandhi noted flu activity typically ramps up closer to winter holidays but this death is very early for the season.
Early season impact
Dr. Matt Willis warned early flu activity could lead to shorter season or longer cases, with both flu and COVID circulating at high levels.
The bottom line
Bay Area has first flu-related death this season with hospitalizations rising to 2.39 per 100,000 residents.
