Despite a surge in influenza cases across the City of Boston seen since December, the city’s top public health official says the latest data indicate a downward trend in reported cases and emergency department visits in recent days.

Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission, reported a significant week-to-week decline in cases during a Wednesday briefing with reporters.

“During the first week of February, there were more than 1000 flu cases in Boston. The exact number was 1,087 flu cases,” Dr. Ojikutu said. “It's down to 543 last week, so it seems like we've turned a bit of a corner.”

She added: “Emergency room department visits have also declined. Back in the beginning of February when we were sort of at the height of this increase, we noted about 12 percent of the emergency room department visits were for influenza-like illness. Now we're down to about 7 percent.”

Dr. Ojikutu encouraged Bostonians experiencing flu-like symptoms to contact their health care provider. Older individuals, young children, people with chronic health problems, and pregnant people are at a higher risk for severe complications from influenza and should seek emergency care if symptoms worsen.

According to data shared by the BPHC, the highest number of cases for the current flu period is noted in the 18-44 age group. Residents of all ages should continue to be vaccinated as cases of influenza are expected to persist well into April and possibly May.

“The Boston Public Health Commission has established a number of free flu vaccination clinics,” she said. “You can also receive vaccination for COVID-19 at these sites. We want to assure people that no documentation is needed in order to get vaccinated.”

Everyone six months and older should be vaccinated for both influenza and COVID-19. So far this season only 37 percent of Boston residents have been vaccinated, but DR. Ojikutu would like to see that number increase.

“That's a little bit lower than the total number or the percentage across the state, which is around 40 percent, and also lower than the national rate, which is around 46 percent.”

While people can continue other precautions like washing their hands and high-touch surfaces, Dr. Ojikutu said “[The vaccine] protects us from severe complications, hospitalization, and death. Influenza can be serious.”

State officials recently warned health care providers that they have observed a “possible increase in children dealing with neurologic complications tied to the flu,” according to a State House News Service report. In an advisory issued by the state’s Department of Public Health, seizures were noted to be the most typical complication, which DPH said is followed by encephalopathy or encephalitis. Children who are unvaccinated against the flu or who have pre-existing conditions are at higher risk of developing flu-related neurologic complications, according to the advisory.

A State House News Service report contributed to this story.