OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – The flu has taken a toll on most of the country in recent weeks, including Northeast Wisconsin.
Outagamie County Public Health Officer Mary Dorn says the number of reported flu-cases in the area is approaching a five-year high.
“Last year at this time in January, we had about 4 hospitalizations related to influenza. This year, so far in January, our numbers aren’t all reported, we’re already at 36 hospitalizations in the county.”
Statewide, the flu has led to 3,200 hospitalizations.
“So what we’re seeing here in Outagamie County and Northeast Wisconsin is really no different to the rest of the country right now.”
Appleton Schools’ Polly Vanden Boogaard says some of their schools have seen days this month where 17% of their students were absent.
“I would say coming off of winter break, it certainly has spiked more so than I have been familiar with, and we did notice that and felt that in the district and certainly used the facility’s department to get out to the buildings to do some cleaning.”
Randy Graham is the pastor at Appleton’s Grace Baptist Church.
He says their attendance hasn’t wavered during the flu season, partially crediting their proactive educational steps.
“In all the children ministries, they teach cleanliness as a habit you know.”
Health officials encourage everyone to get a flu shot, if they haven’t already.
