LOS ANGELES, CA — As Southern California recovers from recent wildfires, the region is now battling one of the worst flu seasons in years, with hospitals overwhelmed by sick patients.
Flu Cases Overwhelm Emergency Rooms
Dr. Dan Inglish, a physician at Providence Mission Hospital in Orange County, says the current flu outbreak is worse than COVID-19 in terms of patient volume.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by flu patients. It’s probably been the worst winter for flu patients in many, many years,” Inglish said.
Flu trends in Orange County:
- Cases spiked in November and December
- Dipped in early January but surged again late in the month
- Now showing signs of leveling off
Flu vs. COVID-19 and RSV: Latest Test Positivity Rates in California
For the week ending Feb. 1, statewide test positivity rates:
- Flu: 27.8%
- COVID-19: 2.4%
- RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): 5%
Parents & Families Hit Hard by the Flu
Many local parents say they are seeing constant flu-like illnesses in children.
Mission Viejo resident Andrew Geer:
“My school-aged son gets sick every three weeks. About 10 days ago, half of his class was out with the flu or a cold.”
Physician Assistant Meghan Torres:
“With two little kids at home, every mom worries. Thankfully, it’s come and gone.”
Will the Flu Season Last Longer?
Dr. Inglish believes this flu season may stretch beyond April, though he notes that cases are starting to trend downward.
“The volume of flu patients seems to be letting up a little, but we are still seeing quite a number of symptomatic patients.”
The flu continues to spread across Southern California, affecting schools, families, and hospitals. While cases may be declining slightly, health officials urge continued flu precautions, including vaccination, hand hygiene, and staying home when sick.
