Amid a summer spike in COVID-19 cases, public health officials are expecting Humboldt County’s flu season to start earlier than usual this year.

“Today or tomorrow is a good time to go out and get your flu vaccine for this year, if you haven’t done it yet already,” said Dr. Candy Stockton, Humboldt County Health Officer.

Officials monitor trends in the Southern Hemisphere to help predict seasonal illnesses in the U.S., and watched the flu pick up sooner than typical.

And cases have started popping up here.

“Unfortunately, we have started to see in the last week or so cases of influenza both in California and here in Humboldt County, which suggests that our influenza season may start early this year,” said Stockton, in an interview with the Outpost.

Humboldt County typically sees influenza hit about a week to 10 days later than larger, urban areas of the state.

In previous years, health officials encourage flu vaccinations before the middle or end of October, but Stockton said it’s best to get the vaccine now. It takes roughly two weeks for the antibodies that protect against the flu to develop after a vaccination.

Another infectious disease is currently making the rounds. Humboldt County COVID-19 rates remain high.

Public Health officials have a sense of how prevalent these diseases are because they speak with hospital infection preventionists and monitor local wastewater data. Local wastewater levels are reflecting a peak in COVID-19.

Across northern California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is tracking high testing positivity for COVID-19, according to the Respiratory Virus Dashboard​.

This summer, Public Health has tracked hospitalizations for COVID-19.

Stockton guesses we’re at the tail end of the peak, but it’s not over yet.

“If you haven’t gotten a COVID vaccine this season, there is still definitely time to get it before we’re out of the summer peak and also, hopefully, before we head into our winter peak this year,” said Stockton.

Summer and fall increases of COVID-19 in California have occurred since 2020, according to CDPH.

Stockton said taking preventative measures against infectious diseases like COVID-19 and the flu are particularly important for pregnant women, older people, children and those with lowered immune systems. She said it’s important for those in close contact with vulnerable people to get vaccinated.

She recommended handwashing, covering coughs and avoiding public spaces if you feel sick. For anyone who wants to avoid getting sick, “this is probably a good time to start wearing a mask in crowded public spaces,” she said.

Even for those who won’t end up hospitalized, “You get sick once and you remember, ‘This is really miserable. I could have avoided this.’”

See vaccination recommendations here. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at local pharmacies.