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.

“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.”

Barishansky theorized that the decrease in flu cases this season has been a result of the state's COVID-19 prevention efforts.

This is an excerpt from Wednesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.