BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Influenza cases are rising rapidly across the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania, with local hospitals reporting a sharp uptick in patients.
State data confirms sustained growth in flu activity, particularly Type A, or what's known as Influenza A.
In Lehigh County, the state Health Department reported 759 confirmed flu cases in its last update Dec. 13.
Northampton County had recorded 607 cases, reflecting widespread community transmission as the respiratory virus season intensifies.
"Our flu numbers have tripled in the last two weeks."St. Luke's University Health Network spokesman Sam Kennedy
The numbers were expected to rise with the next update, and health systems servicing the region say the increase has been swift and significant.
A spokesman for St. Luke’s University Health Network said the system’s flu caseload has surged in recent weeks.
“Our flu numbers have tripled in the last two weeks," St. Luke's Corporate Communications Director Sam Kennedy said.
Kennedy said the majority of cases involve outpatients involving all age groups.
"Inpatients are the elderly and very young under 5 years,” he said.
He said the network currently does not plan for any public-facing messaging outside of responding to media inquiries.
At Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, clinical trends also mirror what public health officials are seeing in county and state data.
“What we are seeing in terms of cases and ED admissions mirrors what is happening countywide: increases in Influenza A and smaller increases in COVID-19 and RSV,” said Dr. Alex Benjamin, chief infection control and prevention officer.
“There are more cases of COVID and influenza A among our older-age population" 60 and over, Benjamin said.
Statewide data
Statewide, the state Health Department’s Respiratory Virus Dashboard shows influenza activity climbing steadily, with Influenza A driving the majority of confirmed cases.
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and chills.State Health Department
While COVID-19 and RSV also are circulating, flu has emerged as the dominant respiratory illness in recent weeks, particularly among seniors and young children — groups more likely to experience complications and require hospitalization.
Public health officials emphasize that the flu season typically accelerates during winter months, but the recent pace of increase has placed added pressure on outpatient clinics and emergency departments with Christmas less than a week away.
Health systems are urging residents to get vaccinated against influenza if they have not already done so, and to seek medical care promptly if flu-like symptoms develop.
Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and chills, and early treatment can reduce the severity of illness, particularly for those at higher risk.
As flu activity continues to rise, officials warn that case counts may climb further in the coming weeks, reinforcing the importance of prevention measures such as vaccination, hand hygiene, and staying home when sick.
