Erie County flu cases decline as total approaches seasonal record

David Bruce, Erie Times-News
·4 min read

Erie County's number of flu cases declined for the fourth straight week, an indication that the severe 2022-23 season could be nearing an end.

The county's weekly total dropped from 410 reported cases from Dec. 18-24 to 249 cases from Dec. 25-31, according to the Erie County Department of Health.

Its seasonal total stands at 4,312 cases, the second highest since flu became a reportable disease in 2003, trailing only the 4,449 cases reported in 2019-20.

More: Erie County nears seasonal flu record despite recent drop in cases

Erie-area physicians said the current flu season differs from other severe ones, including the 2019-20 season and the H1N1 outbreak in the fall of 2009.

"Of course, the biggest difference is the overlay of also dealing with COVID," said Dr. Tim Pelkowski, a physician with Saint Vincent Family Medicine, 311 W. 24th St. "Also, there is no doubt that we are doing more testing for flu than in the past. That probably plays a role in the numbers."

More: Coughing, congestion and sore throats: Do Erie residents have COVID-19, RSV or the flu?

Patients who visit their primary care physician complaining of respiratory problems are now often given a test to determine if they have COVID-19, the flu or RSV. It's important to know which virus is making them ill so a specific treatment can be prescribed, Pelkowski said.

As a result, more cases are likely to be reported than they were years ago, said Dr. Daniel Barbero, a physician with UPMC Hamot's Summit Family Practice, 3330 Peach St.

"Still, in my experience I have never seen so many patients with type A flu," Barbero said. "It seems that — after the COVID shutdown, and all the masking and hand washing — flu and RSV were just waiting to come out."

Though type A flu is usually the dominant strain in northwestern Pennsylvania, it's unusual to see so few type B cases. Only 21 of the 4,312 cases reported so far this season have been type B, according to the Erie County Department of Health.

Type A flu is usually more severe than type B. Another surprise is that relatively few people have been hospitalized due to flu, only 130 so far this season.

One county resident has died from flu complications, the County Health Department reported.

"I still think it's too early to say that this flu season is less severe," Barbero said. "The hospitalization rate nationwide is four times higher than usual, according to the (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention)."

The county's flu hospitalization rates could rise soon as more residents 50 and older have been diagnosed with flu in recent weeks. About one-third of last week's cases were 50 and older, compared to just 18% of the seasonal total.

Older people, and babies, are more likely to develop flu complications that require hospitalization.

"It's still so important to protect yourself against all of these viruses," Pelkowski said. "Get vaccinated and wear a face mask when you're out in public. Hand washing is also important."

COVID-19 cases remain stable in Erie County, deaths decline

While flu cases have declined in recent weeks, the county's weekly number of COVID-19 cases remains stable.

A total of 231 COVID-19 cases were reported in the county from Dec. 28-Jan. 3, compared to 221 the previous week and 266 two weeks ago, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The county's monthly total has stayed between 1,052 and 1,938 cases since June.

"It just doesn't seem like it's going away," Barbero said.

COVID-19 hospitalizations increased slightly, from an average of 19 a day from Dec. 21-27 to 22 from Dec. 28-Jan. 3, according to the State Health Department.

Four COVID-related deaths have been reported among county residents in December. If no additional deaths are reported, it would be the lowest monthly total since April.

More: Erie County's highest COVID vaccination rate by ZIP code is nearly double its lowest

Here is a look at the county's other COVID-19 measurements between Dec. 21-27 and Dec. 28-Jan. 3, according to the State Health Department:

  • The rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents increased from 81.7 to 85.4.

  • The positivity rate for COVID-19 tests declined from 14.4% to 13.6%.

  • The average daily number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators rose from 1.4 to 1.7.

  • The percentage of emergency department visits due to COVID-19 symptoms dropped from 2.1% to 1.7%.

Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County nears seasonal flu record; COVID-19 cases remain steady