SC Hospital Urges Community to Safeguard Each Other Amid Intense Flu Season

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A hospital official in Horry County, South Carolina, has observed a rise in influenza cases compared to last year, prompting the implementation of visitor limitations at their hospitals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the predominant flu type currently spreading both nationally and internationally is influenza A. Notably, a new strain, referred to as “subclade K,” has emerged. This trend mirrors the situation in South Carolina, where Dr. Catherine Rabon, Chief Quality and Regional Medical Officer at McLeod Hospital, noted a significant uptick in influenza A cases within their facilities.

As a precautionary measure, the hospital is now allowing only two visitors per patient at a time. Visitors must be at least 12 years old and should be either immediate family members or primary caregivers.

In Savannah, St. Joseph’s/Candler has also imposed visitor restrictions across all facilities due to the flu season.

“By reducing the number of people entering and exiting the hospital, we aim to curb the virus’s spread, safeguarding both our patients and staff,” Rabon explained.

“Over the years, they mutate and the virus changes, especially as we develop vaccines to affect them,” she said. “The viruses are very smart, and they change.”

According to Rabon, last week in South Carolina, there were nine deaths and a little over 700 hospitalizations related to the flu.

Rabon said most hospitalizations and deaths have been occurring in the 65-and-up population, due to weakened immune systems and possible chronic medical conditions.

“That’s why it’s really important, even though you may only have the sniffles or not feel so sick, it’s very important to protect those around you,” she said. “Because if someone you know is undergoing cancer treatment or they have chronic medical conditions or even just older and their immune system is just not as healthy, it can be devastating for them.”

Rabon said it is imperative that people be careful, even if they feel healthy, as they could be carrying the virus for as long as six days before experiencing any symptoms, therefore unknowingly spreading the virus to others.

Rabon said to help stop the spread, people should get a flu shot, avoid crowded areas, wear a mask around others if experiencing symptoms, and wash their hands regularly.

“We want to enter the New Year feeling good and hopefully have a healthy 2026, and we want to spread joy not germs,” she said.

Rabon encourages anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention from their primary care doctor or an urgent care. If they’re having shortness of breath or other serious symptoms, Dr. Rabon said to head to the emergency room.