Des Moines Sun

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics has been sounding alarms that staffing shortages are a thing at the state's health care facilities while positive cases of flu and COVID-19 are on a dramatic rise.

The organization, among other things, took to social media last week to report a particularly dramatic uptick in flu cases compared to last flu season, which had been very mild.

University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics chart listing symptoms of cold, flu and COVID | uihc.org/

"We are seeing a drastic increase in flu cases," the hospital said in a Monday, Nov. 22, Facebook post. "Flu symptoms are similar to COVID-19 and other viruses, so it’s important to see a health care provider if you are feeling sick. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from both the flu and COVID-19."

The hospital's Facebook post linked to a page on its website that offers information about how to differentiate the flu from the common cold and COVID-19, all of which have similar symptoms.

The organization also begged Iowans take extra precautions to avoid putting even more strain on staff in the health care system, according to a Des Moines Register news story published Monday, Nov. 22. The Des Moines Register also reported that flu cases have spiked this month with the number of cases usually not reported until December.

We Are Iowa reported the University of Iowa Hospital called last year's flu season unlike any prior, with only one positive flu case, because of 2020's strict COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Those mitigation efforts included frequent hand-washing, social distancing and face coverings.

This flu season is shaping up to be very different, with 150 positive cases reported during two weeks alone this month, none of whom were hospitalized, according to the We Are Iowa news story.

Part of the rise is due to complacency because the 2020 flu season was so mild, University of Iowa Hopitals & Clinics Chief Medical Officer Terri Brennan told We Are Iowa.

"Everyone knows that we had a very mild flu season last year," Brennan said. "I believe that here at UIHC, we only had one laboratory-confirmed case of influenza, which is probably the best we've seen in decades."

The main concern this season is that the flu is spreading and getting mixed up with COVID-19 transmission.

"So we know that now, because we've seen these cases, people are not masking like they were last year," Brennan said. "I also worry that because the flu season was so mild last year that people may not be getting vaccinated like they have in previous years."