New York's Flu Hospitalizations Hit Record High
New York is experiencing an unprecedented surge in flu hospitalizations, with a staggering 4,546 people admitted to hospitals during the week ending December 27, according to the state's health department. This marks a 24% increase from the previous week's total of 3,666 hospitalizations.
This alarming trend follows a record-breaking week for flu cases, with 72,133 infections reported during the week ending December 20. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has declared influenza prevalent in the state, mandating that healthcare facilities ensure all staff who haven't received the flu vaccine wear masks in patient-accessible areas.
Dr. James McDonald, the state's health commissioner, emphasized the severity of the flu season, noting a 1,000-person increase in hospitalizations compared to the previous week. The situation is not isolated to New York; flu activity is spiking nationwide, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations, and 3,100 deaths from the flu this season.
New York joins 20 other states experiencing 'very high' levels of respiratory illness activity, according to the latest CDC data. Public health experts attribute many of this season's cases to a new flu strain called subclade K, a variant of the H3N2 virus, which has been circulating in other countries since the summer and drove spikes in flu cases in Canada, Japan, and the U.K.
Of the 1,600 flu samples tested by the CDC, approximately 92% were H3N2, and nearly 90% of those samples belonged to subclade K. Experts predict that flu-like illnesses will continue to rise in the coming weeks, following holiday gatherings and colder weather.
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, receive a flu vaccine. The federal health agency emphasizes that annual flu shots prevent millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor visits annually, especially for those at higher risk of serious complications. New Yorkers aged 2 and older can receive the flu vaccine at healthcare provider offices or participating pharmacies, while children aged 6 months and older can get it at healthcare provider offices.
Dr. McDonald advises, 'There's still time to get a flu shot, and remember, flu can be treated with antiviral medication if started within 48 hours of symptom onset, as deemed appropriate by your doctor.'
