HealthSaturday, November 7
Flu season is starting early in Oregon, and more than 10% of tests are coming back positive
The PDXtoday team
If you've been hearing more sniffles lately, there's a reason. The Oregon Health Authority says the share of flu tests coming back positive rose to more than 10% for Oct. 25 through 31, up from less than 8% the week before. OHA's Dr. Melissa Sutton calls it "an unusually early flu season", though she says that doesn't necessarily mean a severe one.
Flu is sending older Portland-area residents to the hospital
- 10%+
- of flu tests positive, Oct. 25 through 31
- nearly 40
- hospitalizations that same week
- 145
- hospitalizations in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington
- 81
- of those involve patients over 65
Source: KEZI
Sutton says this flu appears well matched to the vaccine. If you haven't had your shot, we suggest getting one. Dr. Patrick Luedtke, senior public health officer, says trouble breathing is the sign to get care: "You should go see somebody."
- Hospital counts cover Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties only
- Most cases: Portland area. Highest positivity: central, eastern and southern Oregon
- Federal forecast: a moderately severe flu season
Flu shot rates were low across Oregon last season
Source: Willamette Week
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| All Oregonians | 30% |
| Health care workers | 52% |
| Nursing facility workers | 25% |
Sources: KEZI, Willamette Week