February 22, 2021 Mike Tanner PIERRE, S.D.–It has been a very quiet winter so far for seasonal influenza cases.
Dr. Joshua Clayton with the South Dakota Department of Health says the most recent report shows there have been just 45 lab-confirmed flu cases statewide this witner, with seven hospitalizations and two deaths.
He says this winter’s numbers are well below last season when there were nearly 15,000 cases and 33 deaths.
Dr. Clayton says this can be partly explained by the prevention measures people have been taken to prevent COVID-19, and their effectiveness against the seasonal flu as well.