In Portland, Flu Season Practically Disappeared This Winter

State data show just three hospitalizations from the flu.

ON THE CASE: Portland hospitals, besieged by COVID, got a break from the flu. (Trevor Gagnier)
By Rachel Monahan

The Portland metro area has seen just three hospitalizations due to influenza this season, according to Oregon Health Authority. Last year, the Portland area saw more than 600 flu-related hospitalizations by this time. (Meanwhile, COVID-19 has caused 2,134 hospitalizations since October in the metro area.)

Part of the explanation may be increased vigilance about inoculations: There have been 8% more flu vaccines administered across Oregon this season than last, as of the beginning of the year. The success is in keeping with national trends: The U.S. set a record for flu shots administered in 2020-21.

Related: Face masks aren't going out of style. Maybe you should wear two.

That may have helped, but experts also credit mask wearing, social distancing and schools closures—COVID-19 pandemic protections—with cutting down on flu deaths. There's also a possibility that the decline in global travel, as well as what's called "viral interference"—when viruses prevent their host from getting infected by a competing virus—played a part.

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