AtlantiCare Sees Highest South Jersey Flu Cases In 10 Years, Urges Safety

EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ — Since late November, AtlantiCare has reported its highest number of flu cases in 10 years.

The South Jersey-based healthcare system said in a news release that it saw 836 cases during the week of Nov. 20 and 959 cases the week of Nov. 27.

The flu activity in New Jersey as well as AtlantiCare’s service area of southeastern New Jersey is on par with what is happening nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 44 states registering high or very high flu activity during the last week of November.

Now, as AtlantiCare has seen greater flu numbers than it has over the past decade, the team is urging the community to prevent the spread of the flu and other illnesses.

“We typically see our peak number of flu cases in late December or early January,” said Gemma Downham, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, corporate director, Patient Safety and Infection Prevention, and safety officer, AtlantiCare. “We are also seeing an increase in the number of individuals testing positive for COVID. Additionally, although respiratory syncytial virus—or RSV—has reached its peak, it is still spreading in our community among adults and children.”

Downham added that all of the holiday gatherings that are coming up create a “perfect storm for even more rapid spread of illness.”

She emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted against the flu and COVID.

Seeking care is also extremely important, Downham said, as the flu is hitting more severely this season.

Flu symptoms can include: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body/muscle aches, headache, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.

Adults ages 65 and older, children younger than five years and especially those younger than two years, pregnant individuals, and anyone with certain chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease could have a high risk of becoming severely ill or developing complications from the flu, according to AtlantiCare. However, even healthy people at any age can get seriously ill if they get the flu and don’t get proper care.

“Unless they need in-person medical care, individuals who have a fever should stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever subsides,” said Downham.

If you think you have the flu or COVID-19, AtlantiCare encourages you to contact your healthcare provider to determine the best setting for getting treatment.

If a person is experiencing severe flu complications including shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, dizziness, or other emergency health situations, they or a loved one should call 9-1-1 immediately. AtlantiCare also shared the following ways people can help themselves remain healthy and prevent spreading viruses to others:

Get vaccinated and boosted. Anyone aged six months and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as possible.

• Get tested if you experience symptoms or worsening symptoms that could be the flu or Cover your coughs
• Sneeze into a tissue and throw it into the trash immediately.
• Wear a mask if you are sick or when you are in any setting with that has a large number of people.
• Wash your hands and/or using hand sanitizer regularly.
• Learn additional tips in Downham’s blog – ‘Tis Flu Season - Severe and Early

AtlantiCare said that it supports the community in following these steps by offering same-day Virtualist primary care appointments seven days a week and telehealth primary care appointments for primary care current patients. It also offers a “Hold My Spot” scheduling option for Urgent Care Centers, which will send an alert to a patient’s smartphone when it’s time to come in for their appointment. AtlantiCare’s Health Park in Egg Harbor Township includes a testing center that offers an all-in-one test for flu, COVID-19 and RSV.