Number of FLU Cases rising sharply in SC

The flu season is showing no signs of ending.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported Thursday that flu cases were up 132 percent for the week ending Jan 13. That’s the fifth straight week of widespread activity.

Spartanburg County reported 673 flu cases last week, up nearly double from the 344 cases reported the previous week.

There were also 483 flu-related hospitalizations statewide last week — up 80 percent over the previous week — and nine people died, bringing the season’s total to 24 deaths in South Carolina.

So far, 26,359 flu cases have been reported this season statewide.

“The current influenza season activity appears to be similar to activity observed in the 2014-15 season,” according to DHEC’s Flu Watch weekly report.

Greenville County reported the most number of flu cases statewide last week — 2,141, more than double the 948 reported the previous week.

Cherokee County had 167 cases last week, up from 41 the week before.

Union County reported 70 cases last week, up from 22 the previous week.