SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) – Last week, the South Dakota Department of Health confirmed more than 1,700 new cases of flu.
The DOH says flu activity is now considered “widespread” in South Dakota with 1,783 new confirmed flu cases in the week ending December 3. There were 80 new influenza-related hospitalizations and 179 hospitalizations during the 2022-23 influenza season.
You can see a breakdown of flu cases by week in the chart below.
One new flu death was reported in Turner County last week. There have been two flu deaths this season.
On Thursday, doctors at Sanford Health told KELOLAND News that the health system was seeing an increase in people seeking influenza tests and a high positivity rate of 26%.
Dr. Michael Naegle, Sanford’s resident physician, said there is a trifecta of diseases affecting people right now.
“There is RSV, there is COVID and influenza, mainly influenza A, is what we are seeing. But because we have three different respiratory illnesses colliding at the same time, we’re having very high numbers across the country,” Naegle said.
Doctors say it’s not too late to get a flu shot and seek medical help if symptoms worsen.
Through the first eight weeks of the 2022-23 flu season, there have been 4,060 cases of the flu in South Dakota. Last year there were 22 flu deaths, 284 hospitalizations and 11,289 flu cases, with a peak during the first week of January.
