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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Reports of flu in Chattanooga area increasing

FLU ACTIVITY

Top 10 States with flu activity as of Jan. 291. Oklahoma2. Texas3. Connecticut4. Nebraska5. Iowa6. Wyoming7. Louisiana8. Mississippi9. South Dakota10. New Jersey14. Tennessee15. Alabama32. GeorgiaSource: Walgreens

Cases of influenza increased dramatically in Chattanooga during January, compared to the previous year, according to data filed by area hospitals with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.

Parkridge Health System reported 163 cases of flu this January, compared to only 35 last year at the same time, spokesman Jamie Lawson said.

Erlanger hospital treated 112 cases through Jan. 28, peaking at 63 people during the week of Jan. 15-21, spokeswoman Jennifer Homa said. The hospital saw about 30 flu cases during the same time in 2016. Last year, Erlanger reported no more than eight cases of suspected influenza in any week through early February, while this year every week in January was in double digits.

CHI Memorial reported 92 cases during all of January, spokeswoman Karen Long said. Numbers for last year were not immediately available, she said.