02/28/2018
Flu Season Appears to Have Peaked in CT Though Still Widespread
The state Department of Public Health (DPH) today released the weekly 2017-2018 Influenza Season Update for the week ending on February 24th. The full report is available on DPH’s Influenza Surveillance and Statistics webpage.
“The positive news is that we appear to be past the peak of the flu season. This however, does not mean the season is done. We still have several more weeks to go, and I continue to urge people to take precautions to prevent contracting or spreading the flu,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Pino.
According to this week’s update, which tracks flu activity through February 24th, flu activity has apparently peaked in Connecticut but remains high and widespread. Statewide emergency department visits attributed to the flu are down to 12% from the season’s three peak weeks at or above 14%, which is still well above the baseline level of 5% statewide.
A total of 2,161 patients have been hospitalized with confirmed cases of flu between August 27, 2017 and February 24, 2018. A total of 7,177 influenza positive laboratory tests have been reported during this season.
So far this season, 105 deaths have been attributed to the flu (80 associated with influenza A, 25 with influenza B). Of these deaths, 85 were among patients over the age of 65, 11 were 50-64 years of age, 5 were 25-49 years of age, 1 was between 19-24 years of age, and 3 were aged 18 years. The current season total of 105 deaths is the highest number since 2009, when all influenza-associated deaths became reportable in Connecticut.