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Influenza

Surge In COVID-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC Surge In COVID-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC
Surge In Covid-19, Flu, RSV Hospitalizations Leads To Winter Virus Warning By CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sounding the alarm, warning that low vaccination rates for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) could strain healthcare systems across the nation in the weeks ahead. Hospitalizations among all age groups in the last month increased by 200 percent for influenza, 51 percent for COVID, and 60 percent for RSV, the CDC said. Meanwhile, coverage for the seasonal 2023-2024 flu shot is low in all age groups compared with the same period of the 2022–2023 season. Just 17 percent of adults had received the updated COVID vac…
Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials
Flu Cases Up, Now Deemed 'Prevalent' By NY Health Officials If you haven’t gotten your flu shot this year, now’s the time to do so. New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald declared that influenza is “now prevalent” in the state on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The declaration requires healthcare workers who have not received this year’s flu vaccine to wear masks in places like hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices. "Health care personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu this season need to take extra precautions and wear a mask in health care facilities, as they are exposed to sick patients and come into close contact with those most vulnerab…
COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning
Covid-19: Subvariant XBB Rapidly Spreading Statewide, Prompting NY Health Department Warning As the new COVID-19 variant named XBB.1.5 rapidly spreads through New York, officials are urging people to receive their booster shots to protect themselves.  Earlier Report - COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Accounts For 70% Of Tristate NY Cases, Sparking Concerns Of New Wave The variant, which spreads more quickly than other currently circulating strains of the virus, is already making up more than 50 percent of cases in the state, making it the predominant strain, according to the New York Department of Health.  Although it is not yet clear if the XBB.1.5 variant is more se…
CDC Warns Of Increase In Strep Throat Infections Among Kids Amid Rise In COVID, Flu, RSV Cases CDC Warns Of Increase In Strep Throat Infections Among Kids Amid Rise In COVID, Flu, RSV Cases
CDC Warns Of Increase In Strep Throat Infections Among Kids Amid Rise In COVID, Flu, RSV Cases The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an advisory warning of an increase in cases of strep throat infections among children amid the so-called "tripledemic" of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases. The CDC said it has notified clinicians and public health authorities of a recent increase in pediatric invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections.  In November 2022, the CDC said it was notified of a possible increase in iGAS infections among children at a hospital in Colorado. Potential increases in pediatric iG…
CDC Encouraging Americans To Mask Up For The Holidays Amid Tripledemic Of COVID-19, Flu, RSV CDC Encouraging Americans To Mask Up For The Holidays Amid Tripledemic Of COVID-19, Flu, RSV
CDC Encouraging Americans To Mask Up For The Holidays Amid Tripledemic Of Covid-19, Flu, RSV The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging Americans to wear masks during the holiday season to help prevent the spread of the so-called tripledemic of COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It's especially important for people living in areas with high levels of COVID transmission to mask up, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Monday, Dec. 5. “The past several years have certainly not been easy, and we now face yet another surge of ailments, another moment of overstretched capacity, and really one of tragic and often preventab…
Triple Threat: Health Department In Hudson Valley Warns Of RSV, COVID-19, Flu Triple Threat: Health Department In Hudson Valley Warns Of RSV, COVID-19, Flu
Triple Threat: Health Department In Hudson Valley Warns Of RSV, Covid-19, Flu A health department in the Hudson Valley is warning people to be cautious as cases of respiratory viruses rise.  Earlier Report - 'Tripledemic' Concerns Grow As Surge In Flu Activity Strikes Amid Ongoing RSV, COVID-19 Cases The warning comes after a rise in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Putnam County, which has been accompanied by a similar rise in COVID-19 and flu cases, according to an announcement by the Putnam County Health Department from Monday, Nov. 21.  "Residents hearing stories on the news about high levels of respiratory illness around the cou…
Flu Season is Already Widespread Across New York, Health Department Says Flu Season is Already Widespread Across New York, Health Department Says
Flu Season is Already Widespread Across New York, Health Department Says As cooler weather has moved in across New York state, cases of flu have already become widespread. State health officials say the pesky, and sometimes deadly, virus is rapidly ramping up with 44 counties reporting flu cases in the first weeks of October. Statewide, 596 cases of the flu have been confirmed, compared to only 150 in the same time period a year ago. The regions reporting the highest number of cases include the New York City area, the Capital Region, and central New York with 57 percent of the confirmed flu cases being reported in those regions, the state Department of Hea…
COVID-19: Increasing Number Of Reinfections Being Reported, Sometimes Within Weeks COVID-19: Increasing Number Of Reinfections Being Reported, Sometimes Within Weeks
Covid-19: Increasing Number Of Reinfections Being Reported, Sometimes Within Weeks With the number of new COVID-19 variants and wild strains evolving, Americans are reporting an increasing number of reinfections of the virus across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 means a person was infected, recovered, and then later became infected again, sometimes within weeks of the initial infection. Officials said that after recovering from COVID-19, most individuals will have some protection from repeat infections, however, reinfections have become more common during the m…
'Widespread' Flu Activity Now Reported In New York: Here Are Counties Most Affected 'Widespread' Flu Activity Now Reported In New York: Here Are Counties Most Affected
'Widespread' Flu Activity Now Reported In New York: Here Are Counties Most Affected With all eyes concentrating on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis with the Omicron variant raging, flu season has quickly and quietly snuck up on New Yorkers, where flu is still being categorized as "widespread." In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 5,075 cases of influenza out of nearly 100,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “seventh consecutive week that widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” The latest data represents an 18-percent decrease from the previous update from the New York State Department of Health. A…
Warning For Severe Flu Season Issued By Health Officials; Here Are NY Counties Most Affected Warning For Severe Flu Season Issued By Health Officials; Here Are NY Counties Most Affected
Warning For Severe Flu Season Issued By Health Officials; Here Are NY Counties Most Affected With all eyes on the recent surge of COVID-19, health officials are cautioning about a potentially severe flu season as several outbreaks have cropped up across the country. As the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus is rapidly spreading, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert advising that the flu is back in full force after taking a back seat to the pandemic last winter. In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 9,023 cases of influenza out of more than 94,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “fifth week that widespread act…
Twindemic? Hudson Valley Flu Cases On Rise: Here Are Most Affected Counties Twindemic? Hudson Valley Flu Cases On Rise: Here Are Most Affected Counties
Twindemic? Hudson Valley Flu Cases On Rise: Here Are Most Affected Counties A “twindemic” could be on the horizon for Hudson Valley residents as the region begins to grapple with a rise in flu cases as New York contends with the winter surge of new COVID-19 infections as cases linked to the new Omicron variant continue to climb. In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 2,871 cases of influenza out of more than 64,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “third week that widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” The Hudson Valley has seen among the most cases in the state, with all but one county i…
NY Sees New Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Counties Most Affected NY Sees New Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Counties Most Affected
NY Sees New Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Counties Most Affected With all eyes concentrating on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, flu season has quietly snuck up on New Yorkers, where flu is being categorized as "widespread."  In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 1,133 cases of influenza out of more than 46,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “second week that widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” According to health officials, 47 counties reported cases of influenza, with just one having none. The hardest-hit areas, with more than 10 cases per 100,000 population, are in o…
NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties
NY Sees Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Most Affected Counties With all eyes concentrating on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, flu season has quietly snuck up on New Yorkers, which reported hundreds of new cases of influenza, according to the state Department of Health. In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 980 cases of influenza out of more than 49,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “first week widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” According to health officials, 47 counties reported cases of influenza, with just five having none. The hardest-hit areas, with more than 10 …
Are Vaccines Safe? Are Vaccines Safe?
Are Vaccines Safe? Dear Doctor, The topic of vaccines has been in the news constantly, thanks to the imminent COVID-19 vaccine. But I’m hearing a lot of conflicting information from friends and family about what to believe. Can you set the record straight about vaccine safety? Sincerely, “Searching for the Truth” Dear Searching: Vaccine misinformation is a tremendous problem in this country. And as an infectious disease expert, this has me quite alarmed. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 3 million lives are saved each year because of immunizations against potentially deadly disea…
COVID-19: Pfizer Boasts Vaccine Candidate That's More Than 90% Effective COVID-19: Pfizer Boasts Vaccine Candidate That's More Than 90% Effective
Covid-19: Pfizer Boasts Vaccine Candidate That's More Than 90% Effective More reliable than the flu shot? Pfizer on Monday trumpeted a COVID-19 vaccine candidate as more than 90% effective – nearly three times better than the effectiveness of last season’s influenza vaccine. Pfizer said it hopes to have 50 million doses of the free vaccine ready by the end of this year and as many as 1.3 billion doses available next year to fight the deadly global pandemic. Two doses per person of BNT162b2 would be necessary, said the Manhattan-based drug maker, which teamed up with BioNTech of Germany to develop the booster. Pfizer plans to ask the federal Food and Drug Admini…
COVID-19: It's Spring Allergy Season - Here's Difference In Symptoms With Novel Coronavirus COVID-19: It's Spring Allergy Season - Here's Difference In Symptoms With Novel Coronavirus
Covid-19: It's Spring Allergy Season - Here's Difference In Symptoms With Novel Coronavirus Spring allergy season is going to have a different look and feel this year in the wake out of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Flowers and plants are beginning to sprout as the weather warms, but many are mistaking allergies for symptoms they believe to be related to COVID-19, doctors are cautioning. Healthcare professionals said that symptoms of allergies include sneezing, itchy nose, eyes, or mouth, runny or stuffed noses, watery, red, or swollen eyes; while influenza symptoms include fevers, coughs, muscle aches, chills and sweats, congestion, sore throats, and weaknesses. Acc…
Death Under Investigation In Area Could Be Linked To COVID-19 Death Under Investigation In Area Could Be Linked To COVID-19
Death Under Investigation In Area Could Be Linked To Covid-19 Click here for an updated story: Suffern Resident Is Second New Yorker To Die From COVID-19 The death of a Rockland County resident is being investigated to determine if it is related to the outbreak of the novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The person was found dead in the village of Suffern, said John Lyon, spokesman for Rockland County. Additional details surrounding the death were not available.  Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Laura Carbone said there are rumors linking the death to the coronavirus, but no testing has yet been done. "There has been no official determina…
Coronavirus Fears Spark Consumers Scrambling To Build 'Pandemic Pantries' Coronavirus Fears Spark Consumers Scrambling To Build 'Pandemic Pantries'
Coronavirus Fears Spark Consumers Scrambling To Build 'Pandemic Pantries' With fears of the rapidly spreading coronavirus escalating, some retailers are combating empty shelves as many consumers scramble to build “pandemic pantries.” Items like hand sanitizer, food, health care, and other products have been rapidly flying off shelves as concerns of coronavirus continue to preoccupy the nation. Many are also reportedly stocking up on disinfectant wipes, household cleaners, and dry groceries. Consumer market researcher Nielsen said this week that the hoarding of emergency supplies for what’s becoming called “pandemic pantries” began in China and Italy a…
Record-Breaking Total Number Of Flu Cases Reported In New York Record-Breaking Total Number Of Flu Cases Reported In New York
Record-Breaking Total Number Of Flu Cases Reported In New York With the world’s attention focused on the global outbreak of coronavirus, New York quietly surpassed the record number of flu cases the state has ever seen. In the week ending on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10,520 new cases of flu were reported throughout New York State, bringing the seasonal total to 131,604, a new high for any yearly flu season since the Department of Health began tracking cases in 1999.   Previously, the most lab-confirmed influenza cases reported during a single flu season was 128,892 in 2017-18. Despite that, last week, the number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases dec…
Hudson Valley Flu Cases On Decline But NY Still Could Set Record High For Season Hudson Valley Flu Cases On Decline But NY Still Could Set Record High For Season
Hudson Valley Flu Cases On Decline But NY Still Could Set Record High For Season Flu cases across New York were on the decline, though the state may set a record-high level, according to the State Department of Health. There were 17,233 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in the week ending on Feb. 8, the second-highest weekly total since 1999. In the week ending on Feb. 15, that number was down significantly, with 14,270 cases reported, a 17 percent decline. In the Metro Region, which includes Long Island and the Hudson Valley, there were 2,464 new cases reported. To date, there have been 121,088 positive tests reported to the NYSDOH. There have also been three flu-related…
NY Facing Worst Flu Season On Record With Second-Highest Weekly Cases In 20 years NY Facing Worst Flu Season On Record With Second-Highest Weekly Cases In 20 years
NY Facing Worst Flu Season On Record With Second-Highest Weekly Cases In 20 years Step aside, coronavirus. Flu cases across New York during the flu season may set a record-high level, according to the State Department of Health, which classified flu activity as “widespread” for the 11th straight week. There were 17,233 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in the week ending on Feb. 8, the second-highest weekly total since 1999.  In the Metro Region, which includes Long Island and the Hudson Valley, there were 3,130 cases reported. There has been 106,418 positive tests reported to the NYSDOH. There have also been three flu-related pediatric deaths. Of those cases: 21,…
Samples From 22 New Yorkers Have Now Been Sent To CDC For Coronavirus Testing Samples From 22 New Yorkers Have Now Been Sent To CDC For Coronavirus Testing
Samples From 22 New Yorkers Have Now Been Sent To CDC For Coronavirus Testing Samples from 22 New Yorkers now have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the outbreak, health officials announced. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered an update on Friday, Feb. 7, confirming that there have been 22 samples tested, with 16 of those coming back negative. Two samples from New York City and four samples from upstate New York are still pending. The latest patients - both under the age of 40 - recently returned from a trip to China and developed “fever and cough or shortness of breath without another common cause,” according to the city Department of…
NY Officials Warn Of Rise In Flu Cases NY Officials Warn Of Rise In Flu Cases
NY Officials Warn Of Rise In Flu Cases Cases of the flu are on the rise throughout New York State, as flu season kicks into high gear. Statewide, during the week ending on Saturday, Jan.11, cases of the flu statewide have risen by 10 percent over the previous week, with 11,051 cases reported by New Yorkers. The flu has been categorized by the New York Department of Health as "widespread" for the seventh consecutive week. According to health officials, the Department of Public Health uses multiple systems to monitor circulating influenza viruses.  During the influenza season, weekly flu updates are posted from October of t…
Yes, You Should Get A Flu Shot This Year Yes, You Should Get A Flu Shot This Year
Yes, You Should Get A Flu Shot This Year As a pediatric infectious disease specialist, this time of year—flu season—is one of my busiest. I’ve heard just about every myth there is out there about influenza and the flu vaccine. Here are a few things I wish everyone knew about the flu. 1. The flu shot isn’t 100 percent effective—but it doesn’t need to be. You may have heard people say, “I’m not getting the flu vaccine, it doesn’t work!” It is true—the flu vaccine isn’t 100 percent effective. Each year, a new flu vaccine is developed based on scientific insights from the previous year’s flu season, as well as information about flu s…
Flu Cases Jump 74 Percent In NY: Here's A Breakdown By County In Hudson Valley Flu Cases Jump 74 Percent In NY: Here's A Breakdown By County In Hudson Valley
Flu Cases Jump 74 Percent In NY: Here's A Breakdown By County In Hudson Valley Cases of the flu are on the rise throughout New York State, as flu season kicks into high gear following the holidays. Statewide, during the week ending on Saturday, Dec. 28, cases of the flu statewide have risen by 74 percent over the previous week, with 9,211 cases reported by New Yorkers. In the Metro region - which is considered Long Island, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan counties - there were 1,838 cases reported last week. Last week, there were 465 cases reported in Westchester, followed by Rockland (172); Orange (157); Sullivan (56); Dutchess (4…
Number Of Flu Cases In New York Dramatically Increases Number Of Flu Cases In New York Dramatically Increases
Number Of Flu Cases In New York Dramatically Increases Flu activity is on the rise in New York with the number of cases dramatically increasing. A total of more than 3,000 new cases of the flu were reported during the week ending Dec. 21, a 62-percent increase from the week before, the state Department of Public Health announced in its latest report.  There are now 280 flu cases in Suffolk County, 257 in Westchester County, 208 in Nassau County, 122 in Rockland County and 108 in Orange County. For a complete county-by-county statewide breakdown, click here. There have been 5,301 laboratory-confirmed cases so far this flu season …
Flu Activity On The Rise: Here's How Many Cases Have Been Reported In Rockland, Orange Counties Flu Activity On The Rise: Here's How Many Cases Have Been Reported In Rockland, Orange Counties
Flu Activity On The Rise: Here's How Many Cases Have Been Reported In Rockland, Orange Counties Cases of the flu are on the rise throughout New York State, as flu season kicked into high gear with the holiday season approaching. Statewide, during the week ending on Friday, Dec. 7, cases of the flu have risen by 60 percent over the previous week, with 1,839 cases reported by New Yorkers. 4,989 cases have been reported statewide during the current flu season. In the Metro region - which is considered Long Island, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan counties - there were 384 cases reported last week. Locally, in Orange County, 32 new cases were reported,…
Teen Who Nearly Died Urges Area Residents To Get Flu Shots Teen Who Nearly Died Urges Area Residents To Get Flu Shots
Teen Who Nearly Died Urges Area Residents To Get Flu Shots This year’s flu season is in its infancy, but one Hudson Valley teenager is encouraging area residents to get their flu shots after she nearly died from flu-related symptoms. Last year, 13-year-old Rebecca Berak, of Poughkeepsie, tested positive for influenza and within hours of her diagnosis, her fever spiked to 106-degrees. Her influenza led to necrotizing pneumonia, throwing her body into sudden shock, acute respiratory failure and kidney failure.  With uncertainty about whether she would survive, Berak spent weeks on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma in Maria Fareri Chi…
Flu By The Numbers: Here's How Many Cases Have Been Reported In Westchester Flu By The Numbers: Here's How Many Cases Have Been Reported In Westchester
Flu By The Numbers: Here's How Many Cases Have Been Reported In Westchester Flu season is in full swing in the Hudson Valley, with dozens of reported cases currently being treated by doctors in the area. Officials from the New York State Health Department announced this week that the flu is spreading rapidly throughout the state, with some hospitals reportedly limiting visitation to prevent the spread of the virus. Flu season kicks off in earnest in October each year, though patients can still be susceptible to certain strains in September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said that reported cases tend to increase in Novemb…
Flu Cases Climbing In New York: Here Are The Latest Numbers Flu Cases Climbing In New York: Here Are The Latest Numbers
Flu Cases Climbing In New York: Here Are The Latest Numbers If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, now may be the time as the virus is spreading. Officials from the New York State Health Department announced this week that the flu is spreading rapidly throughout the state, with some hospitals reportedly limiting visitation to prevent the spread of the virus. Flu season kicks off in earnest in October each year, though patients can still be susceptible to certain strains in September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said that reported cases tend to increase in November before peaking between December and F…
Flu Season's Coming: Here's What You Need To Know Now Flu Season's Coming: Here's What You Need To Know Now
Flu Season's Coming: Here's What You Need To Know Now With the official arrival of fall, officials are warning area residents to begin preparations for flu season, which is fast approaching. Flu season kicks off in earnest in October each year, though patients can still be susceptible to certain strains in September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said that reported cases tend to increase in November before peaking between December and February. Flu season typically lasts through the middle of the spring. In advance of the heart of flu season, the CDC has recommended that anyone older than 6 months should…