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Flu deaths up by one - but overall, the number of new cases is declining

MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER CENTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH & PREVENTION

The latest weekly numbers on the flu in Monroe County show an increase in confirmed cases, but the number of new cases continues to decline.

The number of deaths so far this flu season rose by one in the latest weekly figures, up to 17.

The figures are as of April 6, and they show that there have been 5,461 confirmed cases of flu in Monroe County, up about 450 from the previous week. Hospitalizations also rose.

But those numbers are generally a lot lower than they were at this time last year. At this time a year ago, there were nearly 6,900 confirmed cases of flu in Monroe County

Flu deaths are at a similar level at this point in the season compared to 2018. Last year at this point in the season, there were 16.

One hopeful trend, is that in the weekly reports from Monroe County, the number of new flu cases have been trending down.

Even though we are getting near the end of the flu season, health officials have been saying in recent weeks they were still recommending you get a flu shot if you haven’t already done so this season.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.