By Dave Thompson

BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie Public) – With people’s attention focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, ailments like influenza have been overshadowed.

Levi Schlosser is the Influenza Surveillance Coordinator with the state Health Department. He says prior to the Coronavirus outbreak, North Dakota was seeing a robust flu season.

Schlosser says the peak of the influenza season commonly occurs around week nine of the influenza season. He says we are currently in week 14. Schlosser says while it appears the peak for the season has occurred the potential to contract the illness is still there and might be under-reported.

Schlosser says with the threat of influenza still a factor people need to stay home if not feeling well, and practice good hand washing and cough etiquette.