Bay Area sees sharp rise in flu cases and first seasonal death
San Francisco reported its first flu-related fatality of the season as hospitalizations and test positivity rates surged, prompting health officials to urge vaccination.
Hospitalizations for influenza in San Francisco climbed to 2.39 per 100,000 residents this week, up from 0.12 in mid-September, and the city recorded its first flu-related death of the season. The San Francisco Health Officer, Dr. Susan Philip, said the fatality underscores the need for people, especially those at higher risk, to take respiratory viruses seriously.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Monica Gandhi of UCSF noted that flu activity typically peaks later in the year and expressed surprise at the early death, adding that many residents are only now receiving vaccinations. Wastewater monitoring shows elevated virus levels in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Redwood City and San Jose, while state data indicate a near-10% positivity rate for flu tests in the Bay Area, the highest in California.
Former Marin County public health officer Dr. Matt Willis explained that once seasonal flu begins, cases usually increase steadily throughout the fall and winter, and an early start could either shorten the overall season or extend it into spring. He also highlighted concurrent COVID-19 circulation, advising high-risk individuals to maintain precautions.
Both experts recommended vaccination for anyone over six months old, noting the availability of a new mRNA flu vaccine that functions similarly to COVID-19 shots. Dr. Willis emphasized, > "Get whatever shot you can, the shot that you can get is the best shot for you."