State urges residents to take precautions as flu cases surge throughout islands

Don’t wait until you feel that scratch in the back of your throat or hint of a fever. By then, it’s too late.

State health officials are urging Hawai’i residents to take precautions now to protect themselves and their loved ones against respiratory viruses as cases of influenza — the flu — surge throughout the islands.

“Respiratory illness activity is rising across the state and emergency services are feeling the pressure,” said Acting State Emergency Medical Services Chief of the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch Garrett Hall in a state release. “We are asking the public to take simple steps now to protect themselves and to help preserve access to emergency care for those who need it most.”

The risk of catching contagious respiratory diseases increases during the holidays as people attend family gatherings, visit crowded shopping malls or engage in seasonal events.

Data from the state Health Department Respiratory Virus Dashboard show the current respiratory surge is driven predominantly by seasonal influenza, with flu test positivity and flu-related emergency department visits increasing sharply statewide.

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, activity is also on the uptick.

Updated data as of Dec. 11 show a sharp increase in flu test positivity and flu-related emergency room visits in Hawaiʻi, which is also experiencing its highest weekly respiratory-related 9-1-1 emergency medical services calls totals since July.

Emergency medical services responders recorded:

• 352 respiratory-related calls for the week ending Nov. 20.
• 344 respiratory-related calls for the week ending Nov. 27.
• 332 transports for the week ending Dec. 4.

To put those numbers in perspective: Emergency medical services received a total of 243 calls during the week ending July 3, and there’s been about a 45% hike in emergency medial services calls when comparing June numbers with those already recorded so far in December.

About 83% of emergency medial services calls result in transport, with an estimated 40% to 50% of transported patients requiring hospital admission — contributing to emergency department crowding and inpatient bed shortages.

In an effort to reduce strain on the state’s healthcare system and protect personal health during the winter virus season, state Health Department officials recommend the following:

• Get vaccinated: Vaccines remain the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death caused by the flu, respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses. Vaccination also helps reduce community spread.
• When to get vaccines: Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. Effective respiratory syncytial virus immunizations are available for infants and older adults.
• Stay home when sick: Avoid school, work, gatherings and travel if you have fever, cough, sore throat or any respiratory symptoms.
• Get help early: If experiencing mild to moderate flu symptoms, consider seeking care from your healthcare provider or an urgent care center rather than emergency departments. Influenza self-test kits are available for purchase at pharmacies.
• When to seek emergency care: If you are experiencing severe or worsening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.
• Practice healthy hygiene: Wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings.
• Protect kūpuna and keiki: Older adults, young children, pregnant people and those with chronic conditions are at higher risk for severe respiratory illness.

Visit the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Respiratory Virus Dashboard for up-to-date respiratory virus information from throughout the state.