• Skip to main content
Facebook Social icon (opens in a new window)
Twitter Social icon (opens in a new window)
Instagram Social icon (opens in a new window)
YouTube Social icon (opens in a new window)
MyChart Log In
  • Español

Central Health

Travis County Hospital District

  • For MAP Members
  • For Providers
  • Board of Managers & Meetings
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Español
512.978.8000
Get Health Care
Central Health Home Icon
Search Icon
  • MyChart Log In
  • Get Health Care
    • GET HEALTH CARE

    • GET HEALTH CARE SERVICES

      • Clinical Services
      • Locations
      • Central Health Service Providers
      • Health & Wellness
      • Patient Medical Records
      • CommUnityCare Health Centers (external link)
    • GET COVERED

      • Central Health Coverage Programs (MAP)
      • Sendero Health Plans (external link)
      • Health Insurance Marketplace Information
    • STAY COVERED

      • MAP Membership Renewal
      • Documents You’ll Need
  • About Us
    • ABOUT US

      • About Us
      • Culture
      • Central Health Strategic Plan
      • Board of Managers
      • Executive Leadership
      • Finance, Budget & Tax Rate
      • Do Business With Us
      • Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report
  • Get Involved
    • GET INVOLVED

      • Get Involved
      • Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
      • Community Health Champions
      • Health Equity Policy Council
      • Partner With Us
  • News
    • NEWSROOM

      • Newsroom
      • 2024 Demographic Report
      • Documents Library
      • Press Release Archive
  • For MAP Members
  • For Providers
  • Careers & Culture
  • Contact
Home > News > Flu Cases Increasing as Holidays Begin

Flu Cases Increasing as Holidays Begin

December 19, 2019

With peak months of influenza (flu) season still ahead, CommUnityCare is reporting an uptick in flu activity over the same period last year. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 3 more than 700 patients have been diagnosed with the flu.

The increase mirrors what’s happening across the United States, as seasonal flu activity has been elevated for five weeks and continues to increase over last year’s (2018-2019) cases; A total of 10 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported to the Center for Disease Control (CDC); and Texas is documenting widespread flu activity.

Get Vaccinated
Last year was the longest flu season in a decade, ramping up in November 2018 peaking in February 2019. Based on trends so far, this year’s flu season is expected to be longer and more widespread. Physicians are urging everyone six months and older to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. “The vaccine needs about two weeks to become effective,” said Dr. Alan Schalscha, Chief Medical Officer for CommUnityCare Health Centers. “But after that time the vaccine helps you create protective antibodies against the flu and reduces the severity of flu symptoms if you catch it.”

This year CommUnityCare has seen an increase in flu cases about six weeks earlier than the last flu season. Of the flu cases CommUnityCare has diagnosed, only 13% of patients had received a vaccine this flu season.

Help for the Uninsured
Central Health and its clinic partner CommUnityCare remind Travis County residents that lack of insurance should never be a barrier to seeking care.

“If someone has flu symptoms but doesn’t have insurance, they can still come to a CommUnityCare clinic and be seen,” said Jaeson Fournier, CommUnityCare CEO. “We have two walk-in clinics – no appointment needed, and pediatric patients can visit any Carousel location without an appointment.” CommUnityCare Hancock (1000 E. 41st Street, Ste. 925) and CommUnityCare Southeast Health & Wellness (2901 Montopolis Dr.) are designed to deliver same-day care.

In addition to CommUnityCare clinics, Central Health Medical Access Program (MAP) members can also visit 19 RediClinics at select H-E-B and H-E-B plus! Stores in Austin, and FastMed Urgent Care clinics throughout Travis County. Both FastMed Urgent Care and RediClinics are open seven days a week, with extended evening hours on weekdays.

“If someone in Travis County gets the flu, the last thing they should worry about is whether they can afford to see a doctor, “ said Mike Geeslin, President and CEO of Central Health. “People in our Medical Access Program should know help is available.”

To find the nearest RediClinic or FastMed, MAP clients should visit www.medicalaccessprogram.net. To find the nearest CommUnityCare Health Center, visit http://communitycaretx.org/locations

Do You Have Symptoms?
Common flu symptoms include, fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, cough, shortness of breath and sore throat.

Preventing the Spread of the Flu

Get vaccinated.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently and after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose.
Stay home if you are sick and stay away from the very young, very old or very sick people if possible to reduce the risk of passing the flu on to them.
Keep your hands away from your nose and mouth – if you touch your face you may help germs get inside.
Cover your cough with your elbow or a handkerchief so you don’t spread the flu or other viruses to others.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has information about the flu and flu vaccine. Visit www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/different-flu-vaccines.htmto learn more.

white logo
Facebook Social icon (opens in a new window) Twitter Social icon (opens in a new window) Instagram Social icon (opens in a new window) YouTube Social icon (opens in a new window)

Notice: The Travis County Healthcare District d/b/a Central Health adopted a tax rate that will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate. The tax rate will effectively be raised by 6.5 percent and will raise taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 home by approximately $6.32 (six dollars and thirty-two cents).

Questions about MAP or MAP Basic:

512.978.8130

CommUnityCare:

512.978.9015

Sendero Health Plans:

844.800.4693

Join Our Team

Submit a Public Information Request

Privacy Policy

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Central Health Services Feedback

Board of Managers Message Board



1111 East Cesar Chavez St.
Austin, TX 78702
512.978.8000

Copyright © 2025 Central Health. All rights reserved.

Notice: The Travis County Healthcare District d/b/a Central Health adopted a tax rate that will raise more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate. The tax rate will effectively be raised by 6.5 percent and will raise taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 home by approximately $6.32 (six dollars and thirty-two cents).

Copyright © 2025 Central Health. All Rights Reserved.