Novi Times

The continuing COVID-19 health crisis came with an unexpected benefit during the winter season: The pandemic-related safety precautions managed to almost completely eliminate all cases of the flu, according to Bridge Michigan.

According to a report from labs across the state, there were only four new cases of influenza in Michigan during a seven-day period in late February, compared to 488 new cases in 2020, 284 in 2019 and 536 in 2018.

Health professionals are also reporting that some other respiratory illnesses and colds are less common, too.

“This is the first winter that I haven't had the sniffles, even for a day,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, public health doctor with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), told Bridge Michigan. “It has been delightful.”

Doctors credit sustained COVID-19 precautions and more flu vaccinations for suppressing the flu viruses commonly spread in the winter season. It seems the precautions that mitigate COVID-19 -- such as wearing masks, increased handwashing and social distancing -- are also effective at protecting people against the spread of the flu and other diseases, such as the common cold and respiratory infections.

The declines reported in flu data for this year have been dramatic, according to MDHHS.

According to that data, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Ingham and Washtenaw hospitals report only seven people have been admitted for influenza since Oct. 1, compared to 481 people for the same time period last year and 929 people in 2018. 

Only 0.1% of people in more than 7,700 outpatient visits appeared to have flu or influenza-like illnesses, compared to 4% last year, 2.2% in 2019 and 5.6% in 2018, reported Bridge Michigan.

Group-setting institutions -- such as day cares, prisons, schools and nursing homes -- have reported no outbreaks so far this flu season, compared to anywhere from 22 to 206 outbreaks for previous seasons.

Doctors also credit increased flu vaccinations for these improved numbers. This year, the number of Michigan residents receiving flu shots has increased by over 247,000 compared to last year, and vaccines have been administered at socially distanced drive-through events -- or by appointment -- instead of crowded waiting rooms at clinics.

“You try to look at the positives, the silver lining, of COVID, and you've seen some creativity in service delivery models,” Andrew Cox, health officer at the Macomb County Health Department, told Bridge Michigan. Cox's health department held drive-through flu clinics in 2020.