Saugus flu cases soar last month – more than double the total for December 2024

By Mark E. Vogler

Flu cases in Saugus last month were more than double the number reported in December of 2024, according to the town’s Public Health Nurse, Teresa Riley-Singh. “We had 112 cases [last month],” Riley-Singh told the Board of Health at Monday night’s [Jan. 5] meeting.

“And just to put that into perspective, we had six cases last month [November] and last December, we had 48 cases. This is quite a high number,” she said.

“All of Massachusetts is seeing this. All over the country, we’re seeing an increase in flu. Last year, we kind of peaked in February. So, it’s much earlier this year. It could be going down. But there’s a chance it could continue rising,” she said.

Riley-Singh noted there is a home testing kit for influenza. They are sold in pharmacies in the store area with COVID testing. “Which is really great, because when you get the flu and you’re really sick, the last thing you want to do is actually go to the doctor’s,” she said.

“You can get tested at home,” she said.

“I recommend to people, if you do get tested, if you test yourself at home and it is positive, please call your doctor and have them update your chart and give you any medical advice you need for treatment,” she said.

People 16 and over can get medication for the flu, which can become a serious life-threatening illness. “In 2025, Massachusetts had 30 deaths related to the flu,” Riley-Singh said.

“The numbers are really climbing. Hospitalizations were at 9 percent, up from 5 percent for influenza. Get your flu shots,” she said.

In addition to getting a flu vaccine, Riley-Singh recommended that the public take these precautions to protect themselves from the illness:

• Wash your hands before eating, before touching your face and when entering a home.
• If you are sick, stay home. Take the day off from work and don’t expose others to your illness.
• Get tested. Now you can do so in the comfort of your own home.
• Contact your doctor.

During her monthly report, Riley-Singh announced several recalls of food products. She said that Pete’s Chocolate Company has chocolate bars sold at the Army Barracks store on Route 1 North that have undeclared almonds in the ingredients. She also said that Wegmans Deluxe mixed nuts – unsalted (in 34 ounce and 11.5 ounce bags) – have possible salmonella contamination and that Wegmans grated Romano cheese sold in a plastic tub and made between Nov. 14 and Nov. 25 have possible listeria contamination.

The Health Department in conjunction with Law Mom – a law firm that educates on health care proxies, wills vs. trusts and related issues – will have a speaker at the Saugus Public Library next Wednesday (Jan. 14) and at the Saugus Senior Center on March 9. “I highly recommend attending,” Riley-Singh said.

“This presentation is extremely informative and not just for those who are in their later years. For anyone with children or who have aging parents/relatives, it is never too early to think about protecting yourself, your children and your assets,” she said.

Riley-Singh said she will have a small needle disposal event at the Senior Center on the first Wednesday of each month.