Sickening: Flu Hits Hard Woodbury

DelMonico Dance studio was closed Thursday, according to a note on its Facebook page.

The reason? The flu.

Due to having a huge number of absences because of children sick with the flu, we have decided to take this evening to disinfect the studio. We plan to be open for Friday classes. If your child has flu-like symptoms, please keep them home until they are well. We hope everyone can enjoy the night off to rest and care for your sick little ones.

Since the start of the flu season, 578 Minnesotans have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, according to the state Department of Public Health. The MDH on Thursday reported 27 deaths in the state, including 23 that officials have been able to confirm as flu-related since Dec. 30.

The Urgency Rooms in Eagan and Woodbury have experienced a substantial rise in flu patients over the last two weeks, according to Urgency Room founder and owner Dr. Gary Gosewisch.

The flow of flu patients has been so heavy that Gosewisch increased staffing levels by 35 percent at the Woodbury facility to help manage the extra patients.

“They’re through the roof, and I mean that in all sincerity," Gosewisch said.

Good hand washing is the No. 1 thing people can do to prevent the flu, according to Anthony Nardi, MD, physician services medical director with HealthEast. And for those who get it, rest, drinking plenty of fluids and taking ibuprofen or Tylenol is the best treatment. The flu can last more than 72 hours in some cases, he said.

Nardi does not recommend people go to the ER.

“There’s really not much we can do for them,” he said, adding that going to the hospital also brings with it the chance to make others ill.

Flu shots are available the following locations in Woodbury:

• CVS Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Target Pharmacy

People can also search for places via this federal government website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following information:

• Who should get vaccinated
• When to get vaccinated
• Selecting a flu vaccine
• Symptoms, complications and severity
• Treatment if you get the flu
• How flu spreads

Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter