Last week, the Arizona Department of Health Services recorded over 1,000 cases of influenza and more than 2,100 cases of COVID-19, signifying the ongoing transmission of respiratory viruses in Arizona.
The flu has hit Arizona hard in the past two winters, with a significant increase in cases. This flu season is no exception, as the number of confirmed flu cases in Arizona is already double what is usually expected at this time of year. In fact, in just the last week alone, there has been a 25% surge in flu cases, according to data from the state health department.
The photo credit goes to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Recent COVID-19 cases in Arizona are significantly lower compared to the initial years of the pandemic. However, there has been an upward trend in COVID infections in the state, according to the health department. In the past week, laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have increased by 8%.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that individuals aged 6 months and older should receive annual flu and COVID vaccines. However, the CDC reports that only approximately 35% of adults in the United States have received a flu shot during this respiratory virus season, and only 18% have received a COVID-19 shot.
According to the CDC, there is still an opportunity to receive vaccines in order to enhance protection and alleviate the transmission of the virus as we approach the upcoming holiday season.