MARQUETTE — Though flu season isn’t in full swing, Upper Peninsula residents should be vigilant in terms of respiratory illnesses.

The namesake for the season, influenza, hasn’t made a documented hit in Marquette County as of two weeks ago, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Safety’s Bureau of Laboratories Virology data.

“But some of that may be that cases aren’t being reported,” said Robert Van Howe, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department’s medical director of public health medical issues. “A lot of people are doing tests at home and they just don’t tell the doctor, they don’t call the health department, so there’s a lot of those that we’re missing.”

Other relevant data relates to the presence of influenza-like illnesses, according to the official Michigan government website via its MI Flu Focus Influenza Surveillance Report. This group of illnesses are defined as the symptoms of a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a cough and/or a sore throat.

The report indicates that in the northern region, defined as the Upper Peninsula and part of the northern Lower Peninsula, 3.2% of all outpatient visits to health care providers were for patients with an influenza-like illness in the week ending Nov. 9.

“(Influenza) tends to come during the winter months,” Van Howe said. “It’s really hard to predict when and how much it’s going to be.”

As for COVID-19 activity, the Centers for Disease Control data gets a bit more specific for Marquette County. During the week of Nov. 9, 12 cases were reported with no deaths.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Marquette County has seen 21,458 documented cases and 198 documented deaths.

Periods of high activity in terms of COVID cases throughout this year have calmed down significantly since previous years. The highest number of reported cases came Sept. 7 with 54 documented cases — followed by two deaths the week of Sept. 21 — and March 9 with 45 reported cases.

Reported case numbers were at an all-time high in Marquette County two years ago with 1,290 cases as of Jan. 8, 2022.

Regardless of the decreasing numbers, Van Howe said all those who are eligible should take precautions while sick and stay home.

“If you have a respiratory illness with a fever, stay home. Don’t go to work, don’t go to school,” he said.

It’s important to receive the proper vaccinations, Van Howe said.

“If you’re vaccinated, (it) decreases your chance of getting the illness, even if you do get the illness, it won’t be as severe.

“Also, the respiratory virus season hasn’t really kicked off yet, so there’s still plenty of time to get vaccinated before it gets here and it’s kind of important to get vaccinated before you’re exposed, so now is a good time to do it.”

The COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot are both available at Walgreens Pharmacy, with appointments available by calling 906-226-1046. Both CVS Pharmacy in Target and Walmart’s in-store pharmacy offer the flu shot, the COVID-19 vaccine, the RSV vaccine and the whooping cough shot via Tdap. CVS scheduling is available at 906-226-0095 and Walmart’s scheduling is available at 906-226-5015.

Those looking for immunizations may also contact the Marquette County Health Department at 906-475-7844 or their primary care provider.

For more information on immunizations, go to cdc.gov/vaccines/.