Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Chelsea Berg, a nurse at Peninsula Community Health Services, administers a flu shot during a free drive-thru flu shot event at Kenai Central High School on Oct. 24, 2020. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Flu more widespread, arriving earlier than previous years, state reports

Positive lab reports of influenza this week is higher than the peaks of the last four seasons

Influenza is circulating much more widely and much earlier than in previous years, according to a Flu Snapshot published Wednesday by the State Department of Health’s Division of Public Health.

In Public Health ECHOs in October and November, State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin discussed the trend, which has been observed since the start of this year’s flu season.

That trend is continuing to hold, with data presented in the Flu Snapshot showing that the number of positive lab reports of influenza this week is higher than the peaks of the last four seasons — from 2018 to the beginning of this year. In the week ending Dec. 3, more than 1,400 positive lab reports were counted.

“Activity is increasing week over week, indicating that influenza activity has likely not peaked yet,” the snapshot reads.

Peaks in previous seasons have come much later, between January and March.

Health officials are urging vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 to lessen the strain on hospitals.

According to the state’s Flu Vaccination Dashboard, 18% of Alaska residents have received this year’s flu vaccine. In the Kenai Peninsula Borough, 14.5% of residents are vaccinated.

More information about vaccines and availability for both influenza and COVID-19 can be found at myhealth.alaska.gov.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

The Homer Spit and the Kenai Mountains are photographed of Monday, May 17, 2021, as seen from West Hill in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Magnitude 5.4 earthquake strikes west of Homer

The earthquake occurred just after 7 a.m.

Homer Police Lt. Ryan Browning provides ‘youth and technology’ presentation Saturday Feb. 4 at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Christopher Kincaid.
Social media harms targeted in community meetings

Homer police visiting Central Peninsula to open dialogue about “Parenting in the Digital Age”

The intersection of the Kenai Spur and Sterling highways is seen on Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo)
Borough to use federal funds for street safety

The funds were made available through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program

The cover of the March 20 State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, “AKVDRS Homicide Victims Update — Alaska, 2011-2020” (Screenshot)
Department of Health: Homicides increased last decade

Homicides accounted for 19% of the violent deaths in Alaska from 2011-2020

Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion file
Kenai Animal Control Chief Jessica “JJ” Hendrickson plays with Torch the cat at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Kenai.
More than $11,000 in grants, donations given to Kenai animal shelter, senior center

The Kenai Animal Shelter received about $6,600 across multiple donations

Ninilchik fans celebrate the team's second straight Class 2A boys state basketball championship Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Robin Moore)
Ninilchik boys win 2nd straight Class 2A state title

The Ninilchik boys basketball team defended their Class 2A state title with… Continue reading

Beams rust at the Kenai Multi-Purpose Facility on Monday, March 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai ice rink to close for summer

The condensation generated by use of the rink in the summer has caused the building’s steel beams to rust

Sidewalk chalk drawings cover the outside of corroding insulation at Soldotna Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sidewalk chalk drawings cover the outside of corroding insulation at Soldotna Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly accepts $50.4M for borough bond projects

$40 million will be used to complete a first round of school maintenance projects

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks before the Board of Game during their Southcentral meeting on Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Board of Game hears testimony on trapping setbacks

Public testimony on the proposals being considered will be accepted through Saturday

Most Read