As families gather for the holidays and flu cases rise nationwide by 14%, health officials say San Luis Obispo County continues to report lower-than-average rates of flu and RSV.
Carol and Bruce Peasley say they take simple steps during cold and flu season to stay healthy, including staying hydrated and dressing appropriately for the weather.
“Other than that, there’s no avoiding it,” Bruce Peasley said. “Hopefully our immune systems are built up enough to ward most of it off.”
According to the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Agency, about 70 flu cases had been reported on the Central Coast as of Dec. 14.
Jordan Fox traveled from Austin, Texas, to Avila Beach with his family for the holidays after they came down with a cold. Fox said they focused on rest, fluids, and handwashing to recover before Christmas.
“My wife was a little ill, and we also have a 6- and 2-year-old, so we made sure to get a lot of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and keep our hands washed,” Fox said.
While traveling, Fox said his family took extra precautions at the airport.
“You’re around a lot of other people traveling, especially with kids running around and a lot of germs everywhere,” he said. “We try to stay clean and keep a safe distance when we can.”
San Luis Obispo County Public Health Epidemiologist Roxanne Archer said respiratory illness levels on the Central Coast remain low compared to much of California.
“Currently, our respiratory disease numbers are pretty low based on both our wastewater data and test positivity rates,” Archer said.
She noted that flu and RSV cases continue to rise statewide. Data from the California Department of Public Health shows flu cases doubled from about 1,900 to 3,800 between Dec. 6 and Dec. 13.
“The flu season starts in October and runs through April, so we often see increases in December and January,” Archer said.
The California Department of Public Health continues to urge residents to wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick to help slow the spread of illness.
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