Flu season is rolling across the country, and Delaware is no exception.

Healthcare professionals are still encouraging people to get their flu shots and wash their hands often to prevent spreading germs.

“We're hoping that the peak is soon and that we'll see a decline in the next few weeks,” said Dr. William Chasanov, an infectious diseases doctor with Beebe Healthcare.

For the week ending Feb. 4, Chasanov said Beebe Healthcare tested 614 people for flu; 185 tested positive for influenza A, while 77 tested positive for influenza B. Three had both the A and B strains, he said.

The number of flu cases is trending up since the beginning of the year, Chasanov said.

Statewide, Andrea Wojcik, spokeswoman for the Division of Public Health, said the number of confirmed flu cases has skyrocketed for the week ending Jan. 27 with 650 lab-confirmed cases. An 82-year-old Sussex County man, who had several underlying health conditions, passed away last week at a local hospital, she said. Of the four flu deaths in Delaware this season, she said, two have been Sussex County residents and two have been New Castle County residents. All have had underlying health conditions.

“Health systems are feeling the strain of the sheer volume of patients, and schools are beginning to report concerns over the number of students out due to influenza-like illnesses,” she said. “Nationally, influenza-like activity has again increased, and hospitalizations are at their highest peak ever.”

Overall, Chasanov said, this season's total confirmed flu cases in Delaware are 2,000 compared to 500 last year. A Centers for Disease Control chart shows 2017 flu cases reached 2,000 by the end of February and eventually peaked at 4,500 by mid-March.

He recommends people get their flu shots as soon as possible because it takes two weeks after the shot for it to be most effective. “There is a lag time,” he said.

There are high-dose flu vaccines that some believe is more beneficial for elderly patients, and also a quadrivalent shot which vaccinates against two A strains and two Bs, he said. But if the high-dose shot is not available, it should not deter people from getting a regular flu shot.

However, pharmacies in Lewes and Rehoboth are running out of shots. On Feb. 5, the Rehoboth Rite Aid still had regular flu shots available; the Rite Aid and Walgreens, both in Lewes, still had about half a dozen shots left.

Wojcik said people should reach out to their primary care provider for flu shots or visit vaccinefinder.org for a list of nearby pharmacies with available flu vaccines. Public health clinics are still offering flu shots and they are listed at flu.delaware.gov.

Hospital visitors urged to take precautions

At Beebe, Chasanov said there are no visitor restrictions, but children and others who are sick should consider not visiting. Hand washing stations are available for visitors, he said.

For those who get the flu, Chasanov said, get plenty of rest and fluids. Prescription Tamiflu can help shorten symptoms, he said.

Wojcik agrees that getting a flu shot is still the best way to prevent the flu. “As long as flu is circulating, it’s still appropriate for those who have not received a flu shot to get one,” she said.

Nationally, she said the last five flu seasons have averaged 16 weeks.

“As we are currently in week 10 of flu season, it is likely there will be continued high flu activity for several weeks to come,” she said.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with vaccine information.