Flu incidence spreading north and east of Texas, Walgreens reports
It's halfway through March and flu incidence is still going strong, especially across Nebraska and Texas, Walgreens reported Wednesday as part of its weekly Walgreens Flu Index.
However, Texas finally may be getting a reprieve. Only one Texas market is in this week's top 10, which captures flu activity for the week ended March 17, and there are at least 10 states experiencing more flu incidence than the Lone Star State.
South Dakota, Idaho and Virginia were the three top states experiencing flu incidence gains for the week.
The top 10 designated market areas with flu activity for the week ended March 17 were:
Top 10 DMAs ranked by flu activity gains were:
The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranks those states and markets experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. The Flu Index provides insight by showing which cities or metropolitan areas 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 and Duane Reade locations nationwide, including Walgreens locations in Puerto Rico. 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.
However, Texas finally may be getting a reprieve. Only one Texas market is in this week's top 10, which captures flu activity for the week ended March 17, and there are at least 10 states experiencing more flu incidence than the Lone Star State.
South Dakota, Idaho and Virginia were the three top states experiencing flu incidence gains for the week.
The top 10 designated market areas with flu activity for the week ended March 17 were:
- Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Neb.;
- Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas;
- Omaha, Neb.;
- Greenville-New Bern-Washington, N.C.;
- Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colo.;
- Oklahoma City;
- Des Moines-Ames, Iowa;
- Lansing, Mich.;
- Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo.; and
- Rockford, Ill.
Top 10 DMAs ranked by flu activity gains were:
- Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick, Wash.;
- Greenville-New Bern-Washington, N.C.;
- Gainesville, Fla.;
- Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Va.;
- Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, Mich.;
- Toledo, Ohio;
- Dayton, Ohio;
- Cleveland-Akron (Canton), Ohio;
- Charleston, S.C.; and
- Richmond-Petersburg, Va.
The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranks those states and markets experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. The Flu Index provides insight by showing which cities or metropolitan areas 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 and Duane Reade locations nationwide, including Walgreens locations in Puerto Rico. 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.