Des Moines Sun

Iowans are catching the flu at increasing rates, along with increasing rates of COVID-19, according to a news story published last week by a Des Moines-area news outlet.

The Iowa Department of Public Health reported moderate to high level of flu-like cases by Dec. 27, the day KCCI 8 published its news story.

"New data from the week of Dec. 18 shows 33 people have been hospitalized in Iowa with the flu so far this season," the brief news story said. "So far this year (2021), there's been a total of three deaths."

Iowa's vaccination flu rate continues to be dismal. As of Dec. 2, less than 29% of eligible Iowans had been vaccinated against the flu, according to the KCCI.

Meanwhile, Beckers Hospital Review reported earlier this week that the eastern and central U.S. is seeing the majority of known flu cases, while the west is reporting lower levels. Beckers Hospital Review cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent FluView report.

As of Monday, Jan. 3, Iowa has reported high flu activity, as did Alaska, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

In a separate Monday, Jan. 3, report, Becker's Hospital Review reported that Iowa was among 34 states that reported marked increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations. Iowa reported an 8% increase, as did Utah, less than South Dakota's 9% and the 10% increase reported by Arizona, Arkansas and Michigan. Iowa's increase is significantly less than the 284% increase reported by Louisiana, the highest percentage on the 34-state list. The lowest increase of the 34 states was the 1% increased reported by Indiana.

Becker's Hospital Reviews 34-state list was based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data published before Jan. 3 in The New York Times. The New York Times periodically updates that data.

"Flu season has begun and there’s still time to get your seasonal flu shot," the Iowa Department of Public Health said in a Sunday, Jan. 2 Facebook post. "Protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get the vaccine each year. If you have questions about the flu vaccine, please talk with your health care provider."

Iowans who want more information the flu's activities in the state or getting the flu vaccine may check the state's health department website here.