Flu cases drop 42% in NY in past week
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that for the third consecutive week since being categorized as geographically widespread, the number of laboratory confirmed influenza cases has decreased across New York.
There has been a 42 percent decrease in lab confirmed flu cases and 35 percent decrease in hospitalizations since last week.
Last week, 3,692 laboratory confirmed influenza cases were reported to the New York State Department of Health. The number of weekly hospitalizations decreased for the fifth consecutive week since influenza was declared prevalent in December, with 694 New Yorkers hospitalized for lab confirmed influenza.
“I am encouraged to see yet another decrease in the number of flu cases across the state, but we must remain vigilant against the spread of the virus,” Governor Cuomo said. “If you haven’t already been vaccinated, I urge you to do so and to please stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the illness.”
Influenza has been categorized as geographically widespread for the last 14 weeks in New York State. As of March 10, 111,410 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza have been reported and 20,114 people have been hospitalized with influenza in New York State this season. There have been 5 pediatric influenza-associated deaths this flu season, and 18,432 children under the age of five have been diagnosed with lab confirmed influenza and 1,341 have been hospitalized. During last year’s flu season, there were 12,912 flu-related hospitalizations and 8 pediatric deaths in New York. Over the previous four years, there were a total of 25 pediatric flu deaths in New York State and an average of 10,571 flu-related hospitalizations a year.
In addition to getting a flu shot and staying home when sick, it’s essential to practice good hand-hygiene. Unlike some viruses, influenza is easily killed by soap and hot water.
