SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — With the pandemic prompting San Diegans to wear facial coverings, and practice physical distancing and stringent hand hygiene, flu season's start has been slowed.
According to the county's Influenza Watch report published Oct. 21, San Diego County has reported 10 flu cases to date this season, compared to 320 cases at this time last year. Last year's season totaled 20,711 flu cases.
The county says no influenza-related deaths have been reported so far this season. The CDC says the flu season in the U.S. typically occurs in the fall and winter, with the season peaking in December and February.
County health officials say health precautions due to the coronavirus and an increase in the rate of residents receiving flu vaccinations have kept flu numbers low so far.
"Influenza activity has been very low so far this season in San Diego County. This may in part be due to the social distancing, hand washing, and mask wearing interventions instituted to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Seasonal influenza vaccinations are being recorded in the San Diego Immunization Registry at a higher rate than at this same point in any previous season, with 637,696 San Diegans immunized through week 42," the county's report said.
Week 42 covers case totals up to the week ending Oct. 17.
According to the county, 70% of this year's flu cases cover Influenza A, while 30% include Influenza B.
