As Monroe County dives deeper into winter weather and cold temperatures, the flu case count rises countywide.

Meghan Markotay, director of marketing and community relations at Red Bud Regional Hospital, said they have had an increase in cases over the past few weeks.

On Feb. 7, she said they had seen 29 positive flu cases…

Just three days later on Feb. 10, she said the total count was at 35 cases.

“The infection control nurse said we have not had an increase in flu cases this year versus last year,” she added.

Columbia school superintendent Gina Segobiano said the district has experienced minimal flu absences in Columbia schools.

“We have more pneumonia absences than the virus,” she said.

John Wagner, the administrator of the Monroe County Health Department, said they have seen more flu cases in the past few weeks.

“It still appears to be increasing a little each week,” he said. “People should remember to take the standard precautions, wash hands, cover coughs and stay home when sick.”

According to a Jan. 31 article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, flu activity in Illinois is still widespread. Statewide, 515 people have been admitted to hospital intensive care units with influenza this season, and 48 have died.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Missouri had seen 16,786 cases as of Feb. 6.