TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — As flu activity rises across North Texas, Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) said illnesses are widespread in the state’s third most populous county.
According to TCPH, influenza-like illnesses make up more than 11% of the county’s emergency room visits.
Children are feeling the brunt of this flu season, making up the largest share of the county’s respiratory illnesses in emergency room for flu, RSV, or other respiratory viruses. The most recent data from TCPH shows 35% of emergency room patients in the county are under the age of four years old.
Dr. David Winter with Baylor Scott & White Health said the rise in flu-like illnesses is largely due to holiday gatherings and people spending more time indoors during cold weather.
“Flu is increasing significantly,” Winter said. “That’s gonna [sic] continue to go up for another couple of weeks.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest report says Texas has high flu activity right now.
The rise in flu illnesses is happening in counties across Dallas-Fort Worth. In Dallas County, doctors are seeing a steady flu increase.
Dallas County data shows flu activity has significantly increase from a 2.9% positivity rate for the week ending Nov. 11 to a 9.6% positivity rate for the week ending on Dec. 9.
In Denton, the county is reporting flu activity is in the high level. In Collin County, however, the county is reporting low activity.
COVID-19 cases are also on the rise in North Texas. According to the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, Trauma Service Area E, which is made up of 19 counties in North Texas, had 553 COVID-19 patients Wednesday. It’s the highest number of COVID-19 patients in two weeks, according to DFW Hospital Council President and CEO Steve Love.
The latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows RSV hospitalizations have declined since November.
Dr. Winter recommends getting vaccinated. While it’s December, it’s not too late for a vaccine to provide protection this winter.
“I would suggest they get a flu shot as soon as possible,” Winter said. “You have to realize it’s a risk for all of us. It doesn’t go down until the virus has run its course, it hasn’t run it yet. So, be careful. Stay away from crowds particularly indoor settings.”
Dr. Winter expects flu to continue increasing over the next couple of weeks.