Some of the state's biggest hospital systems and the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement joined forces this week to urge Arkansans to get their flu shots, "to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed."
The hospitals are: Baptist Health in Little Rock, that serves much of central Arkansas. St. Bernards in Jonesboro, the flagship hospital in northeast Arkansas, Mercy Hospitals, that has locations across the River Valley, northwest and central Arkansas and Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
The reason for the push is that flu deaths are up dramatically across the state.
As of Saturday, the Arkansas Department of Health reported there have been 64 flu-related deaths in the state this flu season, 19 of them in the past week.
Most, 75 percent, hadn't gotten their flu shot.
Being vaccinated, while not a silver bullet, can lower your risk of severe illness or flu-related complications.
“It’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones before the holidays,” Baptist Health President and CEO Troy Wells said. “Get your flu shot now so your body can have the best possible protection by Christmas.”
The flu-related deaths are also up because flu cases are up across the state.
The Health Department said nearly 16,000 positive flu tests have been reported to the state and that also mirrors a dramatic rise in "doc-in-a-box" and health care provider visits.
The first two weeks in December Blue Cross and Blue Shield said more than 13,000 visits were made to medical providers.
The typical number is 1,000 in a week at this time of year and the number usually does not reach as high as 5,000 in a single week at any point in the season.
Source: Arkansas Department of Health, “Outbreak Response/Epidemiology Influenza Weekly Report Arkansas 2022-2023: Week Ending Saturday, Dec. 10.”
Flu cases have been so high, that some school districts across the state have cancelled in-person classes and gone to remote learning.
The flu, along with Covid, and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV have been a triple viral whammy to healthcare providers.
"Flu season usually peaks in January or February, but we are already seeing a level of infections well above the highest average peak in the past five years,” ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson said. "It is time to take precautions — safeguard others if you have symptoms by staying home, get tested for treatment, protect yourself and get the shot."
For more information, click here and while you're getting your flu shot, go ahead and get boosted for Covid.
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Get your flu shot!
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'Tis the season, to get your flu shot.
Some of the state's biggest hospital systems and the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement joined forces this week to urge Arkansans to get their flu shots, "to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed."
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The hospitals are: Baptist Health in Little Rock, that serves much of central Arkansas. St. Bernards in Jonesboro, the flagship hospital in northeast Arkansas, Mercy Hospitals, that has locations across the River Valley, northwest and central Arkansas and Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
The reason for the push is that flu deaths are up dramatically across the state.
As of Saturday, the Arkansas Department of Health reported there have been 64 flu-related deaths in the state this flu season, 19 of them in the past week.
Most, 75 percent, hadn't gotten their flu shot.
Being vaccinated, while not a silver bullet, can lower your risk of severe illness or flu-related complications.
“It’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones before the holidays,” Baptist Health President and CEO Troy Wells said. “Get your flu shot now so your body can have the best possible protection by Christmas.”
The flu-related deaths are also up because flu cases are up across the state.
The Health Department said nearly 16,000 positive flu tests have been reported to the state and that also mirrors a dramatic rise in "doc-in-a-box" and health care provider visits.
The first two weeks in December Blue Cross and Blue Shield said more than 13,000 visits were made to medical providers.
The typical number is 1,000 in a week at this time of year and the number usually does not reach as high as 5,000 in a single week at any point in the season.
Flu cases have been so high, that some school districts across the state have cancelled in-person classes and gone to remote learning.
The flu, along with Covid, and respiratory syncytial virus or RSV have been a triple viral whammy to healthcare providers.
"Flu season usually peaks in January or February, but we are already seeing a level of infections well above the highest average peak in the past five years,” ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson said. "It is time to take precautions — safeguard others if you have symptoms by staying home, get tested for treatment, protect yourself and get the shot."
For more information, click here and while you're getting your flu shot, go ahead and get boosted for Covid.