A state health expert says the Upper Cumberland region has seen an uptick in illnesses over the past few weeks due to upper respiratory illnesses.
Tennessee Department of Health Epidemiologist Dr. Mary Margaret-Fill said it is not surprising to see a surge in illnesses at this time of year.
“We do know from the types of detection that we use for influenza that there is a lot of flu and flu-like illness that’s circulating right now,” Margaret-Fill said. “There is a little bit of RSV and a little bit of Covid, but it really seems like flu is predominant.”
Margaret-Fill said she is not concerned about the number of upper respiratory cases, noting the data shows they are in line with the average from the past several years. She also said the data is starting to show a downtrend.
“I’m hopeful that now, coming off of the holidays and the slightly warmer temperatures here and there, that we are gonna see a real decrease in the amount of Flu transmission relatively soon,” Margaret-Fill said.
Margaret-Fill said even though there are a lot of people sick right now, the State’s Health Department has not heard of any strain on hospitals and clinics.
Margaret-Fill said staying home when you are sick and practicing good handwashing are tips to help reduce the spread of upper respiratory diseases. She also said it’s still not too late to get a flu shot.
“We know that the flu vaccine is the best way for people to protect themselves against serious illness and hospitalization, and even death from the Flu,” Margaret-Fill said. “And so I would encourage people to think about running to their pharmacy or their local health department or their doctor to get a Flu shot if they have not gotten one.”