San Diego County health officials say seasonal flu activity is rising earlier than usual, prompting a renewed push for residents to get vaccinated as flu season begins.

The county's updated Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report now tracks COVID-19, influenza and RSV trends and includes two-week hospitalization forecasts developed with UC San Diego researchers. The county said the new forecasting tool is meant to help hospitals and health care partners prepare for possible surges.

Current data show flu test positivity has reached 8%, with 58 hospitalizations and eight deaths reported, according to the County News Center. County Public Health Officer Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan urged residents who have not received a flu shot to make an appointment or walk in as soon as possible.

For Santee families, the update is a reminder that respiratory illness planning is already underway across San Diego County, even before the usual mid-November increase in flu activity. The county says vaccines are available through health care providers and county public health clinics for people who are uninsured.

The source article is the County News Center's Oct. 9 report on the county's updated respiratory virus surveillance report and early flu activity.