Flu, COVID and norovirus cases rise as holiday gatherings wind down

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — As holiday gatherings wind down, doctors say flu, COVID-19 and norovirus are spreading widely, with many people reporting illness across the region.

“This is respiratory season, so not unusual, but we have seen an increased number of flu cases,” said Dr. Delana Wardlaw, a family physician at Fairhill Community Health Associates.

Dr. David O’Gurek of Lehigh Valley Health Network said the spike in flu cases typically follows holiday travel and gatherings.

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“The holidays, travel, people going out and about, we’ll see what happens,” he said. “Even right before the holiday, I’m seeing a lot of cases of influenza and surprisingly in cases I wouldn’t expect it to be positive.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is very high in New Jersey, moderate in Pennsylvania and minimal in Delaware.

Doctors say prevention starts with simple steps like frequent handwashing. Dr. Wardlaw emphasized that soap and water are best because hand sanitizer does not work against norovirus.

Is it too late to get a flu or COVID vaccine at this point in the season?

“Absolutely not,” said Wardlaw. “And we encourage you to talk to your doctor.”

O’Gurek added, “Getting a flu vaccine is the single most greatest thing someone can do to prevent illness.”