If cases involving the flu during last month at Memorial Satilla Health are any indication, Waycross and surrounding communities may be an island in a sea of the illness.
Tara Stewart, associate vice president for strategic communications/marketing for HCA Healthcare Southeast said cases of the flu at MSH in December 2025 were down significantly from the same month the previous year.
Stewart said the Waycross facility, an HCA property, reported 178 flu cases last month compared to 386 in 2024. She said despite the drop, emergency room doctors at MSH said people should remain vigilant about hand washing, cover coughs and sneezes, stay home when sick and remember it’s Along those lines, HCA Healthcare is offering a free resource to help those feeling ill to determine what they’re dealing with. Through its Consult-ANurse program, residents in the area can speak directly with a registered nurse, at no cost, to discuss symptoms, receive guidance, and determine the appropriate level of care, whether that’s home care, a doctor’s visit, urgent care, or the emergency room. When dialing (844) 70NURSE (6-8773), anyone can ask questions or speak with a nurse about any symptoms or illnesses they or someone in their family may be experiencing. “Our goal is to help advise people about their important health questions and connect them with the care they need,' said Jennifer Weaver, Chief Nursing Officer. 'This service is especially valuable right now as emergency departments see increased volume related to flu, RSV, COVID19, and other respiratory conditions.”
The program helps patients make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary ER visits, and get care faster when it matters.
“Whether you’re a parent of a newborn with questions in the middle of the night, or wondering about symptoms for yourself, we are here to provide information or direct you to the right place at the right time to receive care,” added Weaver.
Consult-A-Nurse is available to anyone, regardless of existing insurance coverage or current status as an HCA Healthcare patient. With translation services available for many languages including Spanish, the program is another way MSH and HCA Healthcare provide easy access to care.
Meanwhile, as a state, Georgia remains in the “extremely high” flu activity category, data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows. The state is one of about two dozen in the category and among 15 at the highest of that level, The main strain causing concern is Influenza A, specifically the H3N2 variant, which doctors say is more contagious and often more severe than other strains.
The CDC said it was the most widely reported cause of flu.
H3N2 presents traditional flu symptoms, including coughing, fever, runny nose, congestion, and sore throat. However, doctors are also seeing more gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
