(WPXI) – Two new studies from the University of Pittsburgh reveal this flu season could be particularly bad. “There was a dramatic decrease in the number of influenza cases last season because of all protection measures we did to prevent COVID-19 and that has the potential to dramatically increase the cases this coming season,” said Pitt scientist Dr. Mark Roberts. Last year, the flu was almost non-existent. According to the Allegheny County Health Department, there were about 300 cases, one hospitalization and one death from the flu. For comparison, there were more than 13,000 cases, 177 hospitalizations and 15 deaths the year before. “This is a real problem. This is the potential for the ‘twin-demic,’ the pandemic of both the increase in COVID-19 from the delta variant and the potential dramatic increase in influenza,” Roberts said. The studies are hopeful, however. The research showed that if there’s a 20% to 50% increase in people getting the flu shot, it can help keep them out of the hospital.