Over 100 Flu-Related Deaths Reported In CT This Season: DPH

Department of Public Health officials said over 100 flu-related deaths have been reported in Connecticut during the current flu season. Though officials say we may be past the peak of flu season, they are still urging residents to continue to take precautions.

The state Department of Public Health (DPH) released Thursday the weekly 2017-2018 Influenza Season Update for the week ending on Feb. 24. The full report is available on DPH’s Influenza Surveillance and Statistics webpage.

“The positive news is that we appear to be past the peak of the flu season," DPH Commissioner Raul Pino."This however, does not mean the season is done. We still have several more weeks to go, and I continue to urge people to take precautions to prevent contracting or spreading the flu.”

According to the DPH, a total of 2,161 patients have been hospitalized with confirmed cases of flu between Aug. 27, 2017 and Feb. 24, 2018. A total of 7,177 influenza positive laboratory tests have also been reported during this season.

So far this season, 105 deaths have been attributed to the flu, the highest number since 2009, DPH officials said. Of these deaths, 85 were among patients over the age of 65, 11 were 50-64 years of age, five were 25-49 years of age, one was between 19-24 years of age and three were aged under the age of 18.

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