Heading into April, flu still prevalent in Carolinas

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Last week’s Walgreens Flu Index found that a number of states, including the Carolinas, Tennessee and Louisiana, continue to see widespread flu activity in the final week of March.



For the week of March 26, the top 10 markets by flu activity according to the Walgreens Flu Index were:

1. 
   Shreveport, La.;


2. 
   Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.;


3. 
   Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville), N.C.;


4. 
   Knoxville, Tenn.;


5. 
   Tri-Cities, Tenn.-Va.;


6. 
   El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);


7. 
   Columbia, S.C.;


8. 
   Paducah, Ky.-Cape Girardeau, Mo.-Harrisburg, Ill.;


9. 
   Salisbury, Md.; and


10. 
    Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C.

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.