Staff Writer

As Georgia is among the states that report high flu activity, the emergency department and urgent care centers in the state are facing a flux of patients. Although the specific number of incoming patients remains unknown, a hospital spokesperson has revealed that the surge is two to three times their normal volume of patients.

Moreover, according to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the number of sick children is “unprecedented.” At the same time, other respiratory viruses that are circulating in the state have appeared to impact some groups more than others, namely infants and older adults. As healthcare systems around the region are experiencing the pressure that comes with patient surges, the severity of influenza the U.S. will experience should receive special attention.