NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Influenza is now “prevalent” in New York state— with circumstances up greater than 70% in New York Town week over week—as “list” vacation shuttle is predicted on the area’s airports.
The well being declaration used to be made Wednesday by way of Dr. James McDonald, the state’s well being commissioner, who inspired other folks over 6 months outdated to get vaccinated in opposition to the flu.
The well being division’s most up-to-date knowledge, thru Dec. 14, displays a complete of 23,313 certain flu circumstances throughout 60 counties reported up to now this season.
The influenza virus as noticed from a transmission electron microscopy view.
Picture credit score Cavallini James/BSIP/Common Pictures Workforce by the use of Getty Pictures
In New York Town, week-over-week, lab-confirmed flu circumstances are up 72%, emerging from 2,501 circumstances within the earlier week to 4,300, knowledge displays.
Outdoor of New York Town, circumstances are up 75%, emerging from 2,058 circumstances within the earlier week to three,603.
Hospitalizations from the flu climbed by way of 48%, up from 270 within the earlier week to 399 statewide.
The replace from the well being division got here the similar day that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey mentioned it anticipated a record-breaking 13.8 million vacationers to make use of its airports and vehicular crossings all over the year-end shuttle length working from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2.
That comes with 5.2 million passengers at JFK, Newark, LaGuardia and Stewart airports all over the 13-day length, in addition to 8.6 million automobiles at bridges and tunnels.
Other people input LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on November 26, 2024.
Picture credit score Spencer Platt/Getty Pictures
Flu season normally peaks round January or February. The state’s newest flu studies will also be seen right here; the well being division additionally has a flu tracker.
Now that the flue is “prevalent,” well being care staff in well being care and home amenities and businesses regulated by way of the state Well being Division will have to put on surgical or process mask in the event that they aren’t vaccinated in opposition to the flu, officers mentioned.
The dept inspired everybody who’s 6 months and older to get the flu vaccine, calling it “a protected and efficient manner to offer protection to in opposition to an infection and reduce the indicators in case you get in poor health.”
Other people 65 years and older, in addition to other folks with sure continual scientific prerequisites, babies, and pregnant girls are maximum susceptible to creating severe headaches from the flu that might result in hospitalization or dying.
