Flu cases soar past recent highs in Pa., with the surge arriving weeks before normal peaks
Graph from the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows the trajectory of flu in the state in recent years.Pennsylvania registered more flu cases last week than in any single week for at least eight years, according to new numbers from the state health department.
According to health department data, Pennsylvania registered nearly 17,000 confirmed flu cases during the week that ended Saturday. That topped the roughly 15,000 cases registered in one week near the beginning of February, 2018. It’s also the most registered in one week since at least the 2014-2015 flu season, according to health department data.
Health care systems including Penn State Health and Wellspan this week said they are seeing unusually high numbers of people seeking care in their emergency departments and urgent care centers. WellSpan said some urgent care locations are seeing “more than double or triple” the volume of previous years, with the situation exacerbated by staffing shortages.
As it stood, the main pressure on hospitals continued to come from children sick with RSV and other respiratory illnesses, with the supply of pediatric beds strained more than the supply of adult beds, according to HAP.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Bumpy winter’ for kids predicted as RSV continues to strain central Pa. health care systemMeanwhile, regular flu cases have hit the highest level in a decade.
Read more »
Flu cases are on the rise in North TexasOver the last week, 800 patients at Cook Children's Medical Center have tested positive for the flu, and that's as many as anyone can remember.
Read more »
As Flu Cases Rise, Tamiflu Shortages Begin to Affect PharmaciesAs temperatures drop and cases of influenza rise both locally and nationwide, some pharmacies are beginning to struggle with a shortage of a medication widely used to treat the flu.
Read more »
Illinois flu hospitalizations surge alongside cases amid holidaysEmergency room staff at Edward Hospital in Naperville are extra busy right now due to a holiday surge in flu cases.
Read more »