By Tim Mastro

DOVER — After a brief spike in December, flu transmission in Delaware is back down to minimal levels.

The Delaware Division of Public Health reported just 10 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu for the week of Jan. 30-Feb. 5 — the most recent available data. There have been a total of 626 confirmed cases of the flu in Delaware this season from 432 New Castle County residents, 84 from Kent County and 110 in Sussex County.

“That is quite remarkable,” said DPH director Dr. Karyl Rattay last week of the low rate of flu transmission.

DPH’s report only reflects lab-confirmed cases so the actual number of cases circulating statewide is likely higher as not all people with the flu seek treatment, and many cases are diagnosed through rapid test kits in a provider’s office versus a lab.

Delaware recorded only 26 cases of the flu in the 2020-2021 flu season, according to DPH’s final report. That was the lowest mark all-time, which was contributed to the state still being under an indoor mask mandate and other restrictions such as capacity limits to stop the spread of COVID-19.

In 2019-20, 7,075 cases were reported to DPH and 400 individuals ended up hospitalized. There were also 11 recorded deaths due to the flu that year compared to one a year ago.

There have been zero flu deaths this season, according to DPH.

The most lab-confirmed cases in a week this season came in December when DPH reported 126 cases of the flu Dec. 12-18. Similar to COVID-19, which peaked around the new year, the flu has been on a decline for most of January and February.

“This has been an unusual flu season again,” Dr. Rattay said. “It paralleled in many ways our COVID peak,”

Flu season typically runs from October to March, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The peak is usually by the end of February, according to CDC, but sometimes, that surge can spread into March.

CDC’s latest weekly report, issued on Friday, has Delaware within the “minimal” category for flu spread currently, which is the lowest level a state can be in. Only one state, New Mexico, is currently displaying “high” amounts of flu transmission, according to CDC.

Dr. Rattay said it is not too late for flu vaccination as the season heads toward its end.

“It’s always unpredictable,” Dr. Rattay said. “We’d like to believe it is behind us but I’d still use the opportunity to encourage people to get their flu vaccine if they haven’t yet.”

DPH said all individuals 6 months and older are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu if they haven’t already. Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies, participating medical providers’ offices, DPH clinics and at federally qualified health centers for their patients. The vaccine can be administered at the same time as a COVID-19 inoculation.