What you need to know
- The San Diego Unified School District has confirmed that there have been a large number of absences at Patrick Henry High School due to a possible flu.
- The district said all COVID-19 tests have been negative so far, but several students were found to have tested positive for the flu.
- A source familiar with the situation told NBC 7 that there are hundreds of cases and nearly half of schools are affected or absent.
The San Diego Unified School District has confirmed a high number of absences at Patrick Henry High School due to a possible flu, they announced Wednesday.
The district said all COVID-19 tests so far have been negative, but several students were found to have tested positive for the flu. , sore throat, runny nose, fever and other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection.
A source familiar with the situation told NBC 7 that there are hundreds of cases and nearly half of schools are affected or absent.
“Unfortunately, this was expected to be a tough flu season. Alongside COVID-19, other respiratory viruses are also recovering rapidly,” said the county’s deputy public health officer. Dr. Cameron Kaiser said. “If he hasn’t already, now is the time to get the flu and he vaccinated against COVID-19 to get the extra protection that vaccines provide.”
NBC 7 spoke with a parent who said the freshman was sick at home.
“I tested for COVID-19. I took him to the doctor and thank God it’s not COVID-19, but still, something is happening and I’m kind of scared,” said Luis Olivarez. “When I dropped him off at school this morning, I could tell the difference in the traffic. There was no traffic to drop them off. And the parking lot didn’t seem to be all that full. So what’s going on?” is just crazy.”
The county has yet to report any hospitalizations related to the school illness investigation, but local hospitals, including Rady Children’s Hospital, have reported emergency room visits for flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We have noticed an increase recently. A virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms. The county is evaluating the possibility that other schools are reporting similar outbreaks.
San Diego County reported a total of 304 laboratory-confirmed flu cases last week, bringing the total to 1,082 for the season that began July 3. At the same time last year, the county had reported 200 flu cases.
Flu vaccinations, COVID-19 prime vaccines and bivalent boosters are widely available throughout the region. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual vaccination against both viruses for everyone over the age of 6 months.
After vaccination, it takes about two weeks for immunity to develop. The CDC also shows that people can get vaccinated for the flu and her COVID-19 at the same time, including booster doses. The COVID-19 vaccine does not work against influenza and vice versa.
Final data for the 2021-22 flu season are still pending and will be available later this year.
During the 2020-21 flu season, San Diego reported 848 flu cases, including two deaths. During the 2019-20 flu season, more than 20,700 flu cases were reported and 108 San Diegans died from the flu.
