Lexington County residents worrying about corona virus can rest easy for now.

The Center for Disease Control has reported no cases of the virus in South Carolina.

At press time Tuesday, there were only 12 confirmed cases of corona virus in the US and no deaths. There were 398 suspected cases yet to be confirmed.

Our focus here should remain on the influenza virus which kills over 60,000 people a year in the US.

Type A and B flu strains are far more of a concern for Lexington County and the Midlands.

Dr. Lachin Hatemi at Veritas Health Group says the flu season is much worse this year than last year.

He is seeing a growing number of cases at his urgent care clinic in Lexington. That’s because the flu vaccine prepared for this year is not working.

“They guessed wrong for this year” he said.

Flu vaccines are developed a year in advance to combat the most likely strains of flu. It’s all very scientific and carefully monitored by healthcare experts, but sometimes they get it wrong.

If you got a flu shot this year, you may still get the flu because the strain is different.

Dr. Hatemi said many people are resistant to Tamiflu, the most common treatment of flu symptoms. Xofluza is another prescription medicine used to treat flu symptoms.

There are reports of people experiencing hallucinations and other side effects to Tamiflu.

Most flu here is spread through children’s daycare centers and private schools.

There have been 1,600 flu-related hospitalizations and 56 deaths in South Carolina since January.

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office confirmed at least 4 flu-related deaths in the county this year, at press time Tuesday.

Be sure to protect yourself with masks when in heavy crowds, on public transportation and airplanes.

Use hand sanitizer, and drink plenty of fluids before you get any symptoms.

If you are diagnosed with the flu, stay away from others.