PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says flu cases are high, with at least 24 million illnesses so far this season. Roughly 48,661 people were admitted to hospitals with the flu last week, and as thousands prepare to gather for Super Bowl celebrations this Sunday, another week of fast-growing cases is a strong possibility.
“I mean, frankly, it's actually the most flu we've seen in years. Flu cases have been trending up since, I would say, early December,” said Gayle Mendoza, the City’s Interim Communications Director and Clinical Program Manager for the Department of Public Health.
Dr. Richard Wender, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at University of Pennsylvania, says if you’re sick for this weekend’s festivities, don’t attend.
“If you're not feeling well, you really should stay home and away from others. You can still enjoy watching Saquon [Barkley] dance in the end zone just as much from home. You can throw on your Eagles gear, you can group text with friends, you can get food delivered,” Wender said.
But if you have to go out, Wender says to wear a mask.
“One of the things we've really learned is that we probably should have been wearing masks when we were sick for years, you know, even before COVID came along, and we could have prevented a lot of transmission,” Wender said. “So I think, really, respect and keep safe the people you care about who are at that party with you.”
And for those at gatherings, Wender says to avoid the double dip method.
“Don't go back in, no double dipping of your chips and your carrots, and try to emphasize using utensils and individual servings rather than having everybody just keep reaching back into the same plate.”
Mendoza says it’s not too late to take preventative measures (other than not reaching back in for seconds or thirds).
“It's not too late to get vaccinated. So, if you get vaxxed right now, it won't necessarily help you for this weekend, but it will help protect you and those around you for the rest of the flu season, which continues into March and April.”