TAMPA, Fla. — Healthcare providers are warning about what they call an incoming "Twindemic" this fall and winter, a possible resurgence of COVID-19 during flu season.

"It is going to be challenging trying to determine the difference between Covid and the Flu this upcoming Winter," said Kelsey Bivacca, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at American Family Care.

AFC has 228 locations in the US, with offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Seminole.


What You Need To Know

  • Health officials warn up "twindemic" of Covid-19, flu this fall and winter

  • Hospitals watching coronavirus cases closely for spikes

  • American Family Care

Hospitals and clinics are closely watching for any spikes in COVID cases as flu season approaches.  

A spike could add complications to flu season, which overwhelmed local hospitals in 2017-18.

Bivacca said that's why it's even more important to get a flu shot this year.

"The flu shot is going to reduce the severity of the symptoms of the flu which is going to help us to determine if you have the flu versus covid," Bivacca said. "A lot of the symptoms do look alike.  And so having the ability now to be proactive and get the vaccine is going to lessen the severity of those symptoms this winter."

The Centers for Disease Control estimates between 140,000 to 810,000 people are hospitalized with the flu every year.

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