Tulsa Doctor Sees An Increase In Flu Cases From Last Season

Tulsa doctors are seeing an increase in people sick with the flu. Tulsa area hospitals said they are treating more COVID-19 patients than flu patients, but said we are in the flu season.

The testing machines are running around the clock at Tulsa ER and Hospital. Each swab is tested for both COVID-19 and the flu.

“You want to make sure that you are getting tested for COVID and the flu at the same time since they are very similar in presentation. Obviously, there is Tamiflu, there’s Xofluza, there are other medications for the flu," said Dr. Mark Blubaugh.

Dr. Blubaugh is the Tulsa ER & Hospital Medical Director and said last month they saw 85 positive flu cases. This month, they've already seen 12 positive cases. He said some of them are positive for both the flu and COVID-19.

“We’ve actually seen that in a few patients that have the typical flu-like symptoms. They’ll actually test positive for covid and one of the flu viruses as well. Not common, but not unheard of," said Dr. Blubaugh.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health said more than 230 people in Oklahoma have been hospitalized because of the flu this season. Dr. Blubaugh said he's seeing more people sick with the flu this year than last year.

“We were seeing a lot more severe cases then, than what we are now and I don’t think that’s related to the flu virus changing. I think that’s just related to people you know wearing a mask, social distancing, taking precautions," said Dr. Blubaugh.