The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released the latest round of influenza statistics within the state, and the number of cases has once again taken a dramatic spike.
The statewide numbers show that another 43,819 flu cases were reported over the last week which ended on Christmas Eve. This brings the total of cases in the state to 144,023. 140,871 of those cases are type A flu, with 3007 cases type B, and 145 cases classified as unknown.
In Indiana County, 298 new cases have been reported over the last week, bringing the total to 707 cases. 643 of those cases are type A, while 64 are type B.
The Department of Health says that while seasonal flu activity in Pennsylvania and the US is at a high level and is higher than at the same time of year during the past eight flu seasons, activity has decreased slightly in the past 3 weeks. It is too soon to confirm though if this is an early peak of the season. The percent of emergency department visits across the state associated with flu-like illness is higher than usual for this time of year, but activity has decreased slightly over the last two weeks. The state has confirmed that 36 flu related deaths have been reported in Pennsylvania during the current season.
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