Running rampant: Flu season severe, late in Eastern Panhandle

“What we notice is that people get sick very quickly with this virus,” said Dr. Matthew Simmons, medical director of infection control for the Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg and the Jefferson Medical Center in Ranson, sister hospitals within the WVU Medicine regional health care network. “We’re seeing a lot more patients submitted to the (intensive care unit) who are very sick.”

Moreover, the infectious peak of this year’s influenza coughing, wheezing, and head and body aching isn’t likely about to crest until later next month, Simmons said.