Influenza more of a threat to locals than new coronavirus

While the coronavirus has captured the national headlines this past week, it is seasonal influenza that is making local residents sick. Since Christmas, reported cases of influenza have increased five-fold in Knox County.

According to Epidemiologist Adam Masters with the Knox County Health Department, there have been 225 reported cases of the flu since the end of December, with 149 of those cases reported in the past two weeks. Masters said the cases are reported to the health department by local healthcare providers including Knox Community Hospital. (read more)