Large spike in flu and cold cases reported in Florida

TAMPA, Fla (FOX 13) - Florida has seen a large increase in flu and cold cases in the past week, according to the Center for Disease Control. The outbreak in Florida isn’t as bad as in neighboring states, which means there is still time to take preventative measures. 

Dr. Jack Tseng at South Tampa Immediate Care has been running flu tests all week long, he says December and January are usually his busiest time. 

“In a day, I would say a bulk of about 50 percent of our patients are coming in for flu or cold like symptoms,” he said. 

Tseng says while most flu tests are coming back negative at his clinic, a handful of patients haven’t been as lucky. 

“It hasn’t quite peaked yet, but typically in a week I think we have about eight or ten actually positive flu cases.”

Sneezing, coughing, and body aches are usually the first signs of an illness, signs experts are urging people to take seriously this year.