Flu cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are also on the rise

Omicron and Delta may be making headlines, but the flu is also spreading, raising the possibility that the ‘twinemia’ of influenza and COVID-19 that public health officials erroneously predicted would last year could actually happen this year.

In his latest weekly flu report, the Pennsylvania Department of Health called influenza activity during the week ending Dec. 11 high and increasing. A total of 8,583 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases have been reported so far in all but two of the state’s 67 counties. This includes 2,466 cases in Philadelphia and the four suburban counties. Surely that’s an underestimate, the state said, because most people with the flu don’t see a doctor or get tested.

However, public health officials say flu tests are likely unusually high this year because it’s the only sure way to tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19.

The state estimates that 120 to 2,000 people die of complications from the flu in Pennsylvania each year. So far this season, there have been three known deaths.

State data shows cases are growing unusually rapidly for this start of the season – faster than in any of the past eight years. Last year there were very few cases of the flu as people isolated due to COVID and wore masks on rare trips to public spaces.

In his report for the week ending December 11, New Jersey said the spread in the state was moderate. The flu season so far appears to be following a typical pattern. However, influenza activity is high in northeastern and central-eastern counties. Positive flu tests are on the rise.

Several other respiratory viruses, including rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, are also circulating.

The CDC said influenza activity was low but was increasing across the country during its most recent report for the week ending December 4th. New Mexico is a hot spot.