Flu cases surging in Michigan. What to know and how to stay safe
- Flu cases are rising in Michigan and nationwide, with the CDC reporting at least 24 million illnesses so far this season
- The outbreak has closed some Michigan schools
- Despite the flu surge, COVID-19 and RSV cases remain relatively steady, with fewer ICU admissions compared to influenza
If it seems like everybody around you these days is getting sick, it may not be your imagination. Flu cases have been surging in Michigan and throughout the country.
As of Jan. 25 — the latest data available — nearly 8% of patients who visited emergency rooms and urgent-care facilities in Michigan had flu-like illnesses, up from 5.4% the week before.
Respiratory illnesses also accounted for nearly 8% of outpatient visits nationwide as of Feb. 1, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 31% of flu tests were coming back positive as of that date, the CDC reports, compared with just under 19% in late December and early January.
Michigan flu activity is “very high” according to the CDC’s national surveillance map.
“It’s been a reasonably bad respiratory season so far, and flu has been on the rise,” said Dr. Charles Gibson, chief medical officer at Corewell Health in West Michigan. “Influenza is up between 25 and 30% positive right now. So it means that out of every 10 people who are getting tested two to three are testing positive, and that includes both in and outpatient,” he said.”
Related:
- As holiday hugs and coughs await, only 1 in 4 Michiganders has taken flu shot
- Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Michigan, as vaccinations decline
- Sick with norovirus? Do all of Michigan a favor: Stay home
The CDC estimates that there have been at least 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths from flu so far this season.
Staying safe this flu season
- Thoroughly wash hands. Lather well with soap. Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds. Pay attention to wrists and between fingers and under fingernails. Dry with a clean towel or air dry.
- Stay home when sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw used tissues in the trash. No tissue? Cough or sneeze into your elbow — not your hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs regularly.
- Locate vaccine providers near you here for vaccines against flu, RSV, and COVID.
— Robin Erb
“Every year in the United States, … there are between 10 and 70,000 deaths that are associated with influenza. And that's a high number, a lot of that is preventable by the vaccine,” Gibson said.
The surge in cases comes as vaccination rates remain low in Michigan. As of Jan. 25, the rate was 24.2% for the 2024-25 flu season, the Michigan health department reports. The CDC recommends yearly flu shots for everyone aged 6 months and older, with few exceptions.
Canceling classes
Some schools have cancelled classes again, not due to below-freezing temperatures and icy roads, which prompted cancellations over the past few weeks — but because of the flu.
Holy Family Catholic School in Grand Blanc and Michigan Lutheran High School in St. Joseph were closed Wednesday because a number of students and staff have come down with the flu, WNDU News reported. Michigan Lutheran High School also canceled its boys varsity basketball game scheduled for Friday night due to lack of players, according to social media posts.
Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes in Mishawaka also closed its doors due to illnesses.
The good news is that while cases of the flu are rising, cases of other seasonal respiratory illnesses have been low.
“COVID has sort of been holding steady for a long time at right around 5% and we are getting COVID patients admitted to the hospital,” Gibson said. “There are some in the ICU, not nearly as many as influenza right now, and RSV, even less in the ICU.”
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