The Centers for Disease Control dashboard is reporting moderate flu-like illness in Indiana.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital treated fewer than 20 flu cases in the last two weeks, according to an IU Health Bloomington spokesperson. The hospital has seen an increase in COVID-19 patients.
Robert Adams DO is the regional director for acute care services at IU Health Bloomington. He said the ICU is treating more respiratory illnesses, though numbers haven’t spiked yet.
"For southern Indiana, about now through February is going to be our generally our busiest season in my experience year over year," he said. "So again, it may get a little worse before it gets better.”
So far, the Indiana Department of Health has reported 66 deaths with flu-like symptoms this year. That’s about 100 fewer than this time last year, when the department reported 164 deaths in late February.
In mid-January, IU Health Bloomington’s ICU saw around 130 patients per day, which is under the department’s average. That’s increased to about 143 patients per day in the last couple weeks.
Read more: Hospitalizations increase as virus 'trifecta' spreads across state
Adams said people with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, underlying respiratory issues and the elderly are more vulnerable to serious flu illness and are at greater risk for hospitalization.
