Flu incidence still trending high throughout North Carolina, Walgreens Flu Index finds

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The East Coast, especially throughout North Carolina, has become the hot bed for influenza activity for the week of Feb. 26, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index issued Wednesday.



For the week of Feb. 26, the top 10 markets experiencing flu activity are:

1. 
   Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.;


2. 
   Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas;


3. 
   Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas;


4. 
   Greenville-New Bern-Washington, N.C.;


5. 
   Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville), N.C.;


6. 
   Oklahoma City;


7. 
   El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);


8. 
   Corpus Christi, Texas;


9. 
   Charlotte, N.C.; and


10. 
    Chattanooga, Tenn.

The top 10 markets in terms of flu activity gains are:

1. 
   Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.;


2. 
   Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville), N.C.;


3. 
   El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);


4. 
   Roanoke-Lynchburg, Va.;


5. 
   Salisbury, Md.;


6. 
   Lansing, Mich.;


7. 
   Huntsville-Decatur (Florence), Ala.;


8. 
   Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Va.;


9. 
   Charlotte, N.C.; and


10. 
    Richmond-Petersburg, Va.

The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. The Flu Index shows which populations are experiencing the most incidences of influenza each week based on Index methodology. The data does not measure actual levels or severity of flu activity.



The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. The data is analyzed at state and geographic market levels to measure absolute impact and incremental change of antiviral medications on a per store average basis, and does not include markets in which Walgreens has fewer than 10 retail locations.