Walgreens reports uptick in flu incidence across the Southeast
DEERFIELD, Ill. — The flu is making its way to the Southeastern United States, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index, a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity.
While the flu is still prevalent across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas, the flu is beginning to pick up speed across South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. According to the report, six of the top 10 designated market areas as measured by flu activity gains from the week beginning Feb. 9 through Feb. 16 are in these states.
The top 10 DMAs in flu activity gains from Feb. 9 through 16 were:
Columbia, S.C.;
Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Ala.;
Baton Rouge, La.;
Chattanooga, Tenn.;
Orlando – Daytona Beach – Melbourne, Fla.;
Greenville – Spartanburg – Anderson, S.C. and Asheville, N.C.;
Colorado Springs – Pueblo, Colo.;
Atlanta;
Rockford, Ill.; and
Indianapolis.
The top 10 state as measured by flu activity gains were:
South Carolina;
Alabama;
Georgia;
Florida;
Indiana;
Colorado;
Connecticut;
Illinois;
Ohio; and
Minnesota.
The top 10 DMAs as measured by flu activity for the week beginning Feb. 16 were:
Oklahoma City;
El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.);
Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.;
Tulsa, Okla.;
Little Rock – Pine Bluff, Ark.;
Jackson, Miss.;
San Antonio;
Huntsville – Decatur (Florence), Ala.;
Knoxville, Tenn.; and
Austin, Texas.
The top 10 states as measured by flu activity for the week beginning Feb. 16 were:
Oklahoma;
Arkansas;
Mississippi;
Texas;
Alabama;
Louisiana;
Tennessee;
Kansas;
South Carolina; and
Nebraska.
The Walgreens Flu Index ranks those designated market areas experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. With the ability to generate hyper-local data that’s as specific as a single zip code, the Index aims to drive consumer awareness and prevention within communities, while also serving as a valuable resource for health departments, media and others at the local level.