RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Residents by the thousands are battling the flu as a surge in the ‘B’ strain takes center stage.

Riverside County health officials said that during December more than 1,000 people who showed up at clinics, urgent care facilities and doctor’s offices tested positive for influenza and the upsurge is continuing.

Most of the cases involved influenza ‘B’ which has surpassed the ‘A’ strain which usually dominates at the onset of the flu season.

So far there have been four flu-associated deaths in Riverside County, including a child under 5 years of age, and 17 influenza cases under 65 years old that required hospitalization in intensive care units.

“It’s a rough season and there’s no indication it’s slowing down, so the best way to protect yourself is to get the flu shot,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer, who noted vaccination supplies are plentiful.

Story Date: January 29, 2020