Record number of flu cases in Northern Sydney LHD as doctors kept busy

Flu cases have gone through the roof across the Northern Sydney Local Health District — with a record number of cases reported during the beginning of winter.

A medical centre in Hornsby is encouraging people to get their flu shots.

• Taking the fight to disease
• Hornsby Hospital ED hit with one of busiest periods on record

If your workplace has felt light on numbers in recent weeks chances are it could have something to do with flu cases going through the roof across the health district — with a record number of cases reported during the beginning of winter.

During June, a total of 3053 people tested positive for influenza in the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), after seeking medical help from a doctor or at the hospital.

That is the highest number of influenza notifications for the month of June on record in the health district, according to data supplied by NSW Health.

Emergency departments and GPs have been kept busy as a result of the high number of flu cases. Pictured is Hornsby Hospital’s ED.

Even a horror flu season in 2017 had less notifications for the month of June, although cases spiked during August and September of that year.

Meanwhile, Hornsby Medical Centre told the Advocate they ran out of 600 flu vaccinations inside a month leading up to winter this year, as people prepared for the flu season.

“That would usually last us three months,” centre manager Linda Makram said.

“We have had to order in more.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced in early 2018 that flu jabs would be offered free for children aged from six months to five years.

“I think this year, with the media covering (cases of people dying from the flu), more people have listened and have decided to get the vaccine. And it is now free for under-5s as well.”

She said the centre had also noticed an increase in people, particularly children, suffering from the flu during June. “I think this year is probably more than last year.”

She said it was definitely not too late to get your vaccination.

“We say right up until August is the best time to come in and get the vaccine.”

IN OTHER NEWS

The number of people who tested positive for the flu only includes patients who visited a medical professional and had a lab test.

NSW Health published on its website “only a small proportion of influenza cases will be notified because most sufferers do not seek medical attention”.

NSW Health released a warning last week urging people suffering from the flu to stay away from retirement homes.

There have been 66 confirmed deaths of people aged over 60 from flu-related complications since the beginning of the year in NSW, including nine last week.

Hornsby Medical Centre, next to Coles in Westfield Hornsby, said people could call ahead, book online or simply walk in to get their flu shot.