The state Department of Public Health (DPH) today released the weekly 2017 – 2018 Influenza Season Update for the week ending on January 20th.
The full report can be found here on DPH’s Influenza Surveillance and Statistics webpage.
According to this week’s update, which tracks flu activity through January 20th, flu activity in Connecticut remains high and widespread with an increasing number of patients presenting with flu symptoms, as well as increasing numbers of flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths.
A total of 824 patients have been hospitalized with confirmed cases of flu between August 27, 2017 and January 20, 2018.
Thirty-two deaths have been attributed to the flu (23 associated with flu A, 9 with flu B) so far this season. Of these deaths, 28 were among patients over the age of 65, 2 were 50 – 64 years of age, 1 was 25 – 49 years of age, and 1 was between 5 – 17 years of age.
“The peak flu season may still be several weeks away. I encourage Connecticut residents who have not yet received a flu shot to get one as soon as possible,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino.
In conjunction with local health departments and districts across the state, DPH announced yesterday that free/low cost influenza vaccines will be provided at several locations across the state on Saturday, January 27th.
Additional sites have been added since yesterday’s announcement. Please click here for the current schedule and locations of Saturday’s flu clinics.
CLICK HERE for previously announced clinics in the Valley.
