In a typical flu season, the Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center in Butler sees its fair share of cases.

This flu season has been completely different, however. Executive director Kim Reamer said the center has seen “very minimal” flu cases this season, and it may be because of COVID-19.

“We haven’t seen any flu,” Reamer said. “We’ve been surprised by that. It’s very minimal.”

The numbers back up Reamer’s claim.

As of Feb. 20, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported just 2,748 flu cases and 14 deaths across the entire state since the start of flu season in September.

That is down from 129,912 cases and 102 deaths reported during the 2019-20 season.

“Flu activity has been low in Pennsylvania and nationally,” said Ray Barishansky, the Pennsylvania deputy secretary of health preparedness and community protection. “The flu is still a major concern, but we’ve seen very low rates, significantly lower than last year.”

The numbers this season have been so low, in fact, that the department cannot give a county-by-county breakdown of case numbers.

Barishansky said the federal law restricting the release of medical information prevents a county-by-county breakdown, unless there have been at least five confirmed cases in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, a threshold that has not been reached this season.

Barishansky theorized that the decrease in flu cases this season has been a result of the state’s COVID-19 prevention efforts. COVID-19 precautions — wearing a mask, social distancing, frequently washing hands and other measures — have had a secondary benefit of keeping this season’s flu numbers down, according to Barishansky.

“Public health actions have had that secondary effect,” Barishansky said. “There has also been increased awareness of infectious diseases. When you engage in these things, all infectious diseases will be impacted.”

Reamer agreed with Barishansky’s assertion.

“When you’re wearing a mask, washing your hands, you’re protecting yourself and you’re protecting others,” Reamer said.

As it relates to the pandemic, Barishansky said he does not believe that COVID-19 cases have simply replaced flu cases this season. According to the department of health, samples that are sent to the state for testing are tested for both the flu and COVID-19 as long as the person giving the sample has symptoms of both.

Because the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms — fever, cough, fatigue and sore throat — Reamer said the center has been sensitive about encouraging people to get tested for COVID-19, even if they only have flu-like symptoms.

“We’ve been very sensitive about it,” Reamer said. “We’re asking specific questions specific to COVID before scheduling appointments or recommending tests.”

Reamer and Barishansky both stressed that getting the flu vaccine each season is the most important way to protect oneself during flu season.

“It’s important to remember, even though the flu has been overshadowed by COVID-19, it’s still a potentially deadly disease,” Barishansky said. “Getting the flu vaccine is the most important way to protect yourself.”