Mass. restaurant shuts down after staff sickened with flu, cases spike across state

A restaurant in Franklin, Massachusetts, made the decision to close on Tuesday night after several staff members fell ill with the flu. Teddy Gallagher’s shut its doors during a busy Trivia Tuesday after its head chef and another chef became sick. This closure comes as flu cases are on the rise throughout the state.

Health officials reported a dramatic increase in confirmed flu cases in Boston, noting a 126% rise just between December 14 and December 27. Hospitalizations related to the flu nearly tripled during that same period, and visits to emergency departments saw a jump of 135%.

Dr. Todd Ellerin, Chief of Infectious Diseases at South Shore Health, expressed uncertainty about whether the flu season has peaked, stating, “If you’ve seen one flu season, you’ve only seen one flu season. It’s just so unpredictable.”

To encourage vaccinations, free clinics are being organized throughout Massachusetts. However, reports indicate only about one in three residents has received this season’s flu shot.

“Flu cases are surging in Boston, and we are seeing an uptick in serious cases involving children,” noted Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the city’s public health commissioner. Tragically, two very young children have lost their lives to the illness.

Currently, 45 states, Massachusetts included, are reporting either “high” or “very high” levels of flu activity. Dr. Ellerin, sharing his concerns, stated, “It’s not just in the younger age group; it’s every age group.”