JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Doctors report record low flu cases this year, and they say it has to do with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charlie Jackson rides the city bus; she’s always worn a mask.
”Everything has to do with masks,” she told Action News Jax.
Jackson says she isn’t surprised the country is experiencing fewer flu cases this year. If any good has come from the pandemic, it would be just that.
Dr. Elizabeth DeVos, president of the Duval County Medical Society, says people kept other viruses like the flu at bay while they were so focused on social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands to prevent COVID-19.
”When people were very concerned about the pandemic, we made a big push to ensure that everyone had access to the flu vaccine, and so we’ve seen more people vaccinated for flu this year in Duval County and across the nation,” DeVos said.
DeVos says low numbers also have to do with a big push at the beginning of this year’s flu season. She says Flu Vax Jax vaccinated 48% of Duval County adults for the flu — last year, that number was 39%.
DeVos does warn that less testing for the flu could account for fewer reported cases.
”At the beginning of the pandemic, we were limited in testing supplies and they were used for testing for flu and coronavirus, so many people weren’t testing for the flu,” DeVos explained.
Regardless, Jackson says she’ll continue wearing her mask, even after having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu.
”Been wearing them for years on the city bus; I don’t play with that,” Jackson added.
Cox Media Group
