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Flu deaths increase by one, but the season still shows lower numbers than last year

URMC CENTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND PREVENTION

The number of flu deaths in Monroe County has increased by one in the latest weekly numbers from the county health department.

There were 10 deaths reported for the current flu season as of March 9.  That compares to 13 at this time last year. All of those deaths involved people 50 or older.

In general, this has been a much less severe season than last year, both locally and nationally.

The latest figures for Monroe County show 3,340 laboratory confirmed cases of the flu this season compared to 5,623 cases at this time last year.

Hospitalizations are at a slower pace as well, with the latest figures showing just over 500 people hospitalized due to the flu, that number was double that figure a year ago.

But even with the flu season winding down, health officials say it’s not too late to get a flu shot. The season usually runs through the end of April.

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.