Flu Cases Surge, Causing Student Absences in Local Schools

Health officials in Georgia and South Carolina monitor flu outbreaks as cases rise, impacting school attendance.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Health officials in Georgia and South Carolina are closely monitoring the rise in flu cases, with children in schools throughout the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) being increasingly affected. Schools in Columbia County, Georgia have reported a slight decrease in overall attendance due to the flu impacting some students. Both Flu A and Flu B are contributing to the surge, with Georgia seeing 83 hospitalizations since the start of February and South Carolina reporting almost 200 hospitalizations and over 1,400 cases in the last two weeks, along with 40 flu-related deaths last week.

Why it matters

The flu outbreak is causing concern in the region, as schools are seeing increased student absences due to the illness. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and urging preventative measures, such as getting the flu shot and staying home when sick, to limit the spread of the virus and its impact on the community.

The details

Schools in Columbia County, Georgia have reported a slight decrease in overall attendance due to the flu impacting some students. Both Flu A and Flu B are contributing to the surge, with Georgia seeing 83 hospitalizations since the start of February and South Carolina reporting almost 200 hospitalizations and over 1,400 cases in the last two weeks, along with 40 flu-related deaths last week.

  • Since the start of February, Georgia has seen 83 hospitalizations.
  • Over the last two weeks, South Carolina has seen almost 200 hospitalizations and more than 1,400 cases.
  • Last week, South Carolina reported 40 flu-related deaths.

The players

Lisa Liles

The director of school health in Columbia County, Georgia.

Dr. Ioana Chira

The medical director for infection prevention at Wellstar MCG Health.

Dr. Bo Sherwood

The medical director for Piedmont Prompt Care.

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What they’re saying

“We've been receiving calls from parents reporting their children are unwell, exhibiting flu-like symptoms, or have tested positive for either Flu-A or Flu-B.”

— Lisa Liles, Director of school health (Newsfinale Journal)

“What you're seeing now is that second peak that we are getting. It's not as high as the first one that we had around the holidays, but we are seeing an uptick in cases. It's still Flu-A in majority, but we're starting to see a little bit more Flu-B with the second spike.”

— Dr. Ioana Chira, Medical director for infection prevention (Newsfinale Journal)

“Classic signs have never changed: fever, headache, dry cough, body chills, that's your classic signs and symptoms right there. Get the vaccine. It takes about two weeks for it to take full effect in your body, but you still have time, because the flu season is going to last through March.”

— Dr. Bo Sherwood, Medical director (Newsfinale Journal)

The takeaway

The flu outbreak in the region is causing concern as schools see increased student absences, prompting health officials to urge preventative measures like getting the flu shot and staying home when sick to limit the spread of the virus and its impact on the community.