The flu season is in full swing and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) says there has been an increases in cases recently.
The DOH collects weekly information on flu activity year round. Based on the report for the week of January 7, 2017, the flu is widespread across the state for the third consecutive week. Some hospitals have even restricted visitors for children as a precaution to their health because of the flu's prevalence during this season.
According to the DOH, there was an 8% increase in lab-confirmed flu reports from the previous week and almost 6% of patient visits were because of flu-like symptoms, almost double the regional baseline.
A total of 59 counties reported cases of the flu the week of January 7, with as many as almost 31 cases per 100,000 people.
Though there has been an increase in cases, the DOH says the number of patients hospitalized because of the flu had decreased by 11% from the previous week, and there have been no flu-associated pediatric deaths reported this season.
Make sure to keep your hands clean, and do your best to keep your coughs and sneezes to yourself!
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