Flu activity increases above average

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The CDC says the proportion of visits to doctors for influenza-like illnesses have increased above the national baseline for the third consecutive week.

A Cooley Dickinson Hospital spokeswoman told 22News, to date, the hospital has admitted 9 inpatients with flu; a much higher rate than in a usual year since they typically don't see these patients until February, after students return from winter break. 

Its ER is seeing several patients with flu symptoms on most days, with laboratories averaging 3-5 positive tests/day. Hospitalization rates are highest among people 65 and older.

Robert and Jeanne Potash of Amherst told 22news they don't take chances and get their shots every year.

According to Robert, “I just try to live naturally and have the shots taken every year. I live in a place where they provide the shots so I don't have to travel a way.”

Jeanne said, “It's very important, I have asthma and that's a trigger for whatever kind of reaction you are going to get so we do it every year.”

This year's vaccine protects against the three most common strains of the virus, including H1N1.