NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Flu season is in full swing, and the potentially deadly virus is quickly spreading in South Carolina.
Local urgent care specialists say the number of flu cases have significantly increased since the weekend.
“Flu season started out fairly slow, but basically, it has really lit up in the past three days. We went from seeing just sporadic cases of the flu to seeing several dozens of flu over the last few days,” Dr. Ron Reynolds, CEO and President of Beach Family and Urgent Care said.
Reynolds has seen a spike in positive flu cases across all six of his urgent care offices along the Grand Strand. His Craolina Forest location saw 15 positive cases Monday.
“It looks like our flu season is just going to hit a little bit later this year, but at least at this point in time it looks like it’s going to be fairly significant,” Reynolds said.
The sudden increase in the number of flu cases has been consistent across South Carolina.
According to the latest numbers from the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control, 93 people were hospitalized for the flu in South Carolina during the last week of January.
Despite this, Reynolds says the wait times at his urgent care offices are short.
If you believe you may have the flu, Reynolds advises that you do not wait to go to the doctor, because the medication that fights the virus needs to be taken within three days of when the symptoms first appear.
To look at recent flu activity across South Carolina, click here.