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Local flu cases increasing but probably haven't peaked yet

Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. Michael Mendoza
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Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. Michael Mendoza

The Monroe County Health Department reports that three adults have died this winter from the flu.

There have been more than 800 cases of the flu confirmed so far, and nearly 170 people have been hospitalized.

At this time last year, there were just over 30 hospitalizations and no deaths.

Monroe County  Health Commissioner, Dr. Michael Mendoza, said it’s hard to compare from year-to-year because the strain of the flu changes, but it is true that the spike is happening earlier this winter.

“The number of cases, you’ve got to look at that with a grain of salt, because that is only the number of times people have tested," Mendoza said. "So, we’re not necessarily going to see the full volume of the prevalence in  these numbers anymore, because there’s a whole lot of flu that’s getting diagnosed out there that’s not getting tested and sent to the labs and being included in our statistics.”

But even with all the flu activity we've seen lately, Mendoza said it's not too late to get a flu shot if you haven't had one yet.

"I would say it's still worth it, it takes two weeks, roughly speaking, to receive the protection from the flu.  I don't think the spike has hit us yet, and so any little bit that anybody can get in terms of protection is time well spent.”

Mendoza said the vaccine does seem to be a good match for this year's strain of the virus, in terms of the cases he has seen in his medical practice so far.

Sasha-Ann Simons joined the team at WXXI News in 2015 as a Multimedia Reporter/Producer. She tells stories about the innovation economy and technology in upstate New York and also does general assignment reporting. Sasha-Ann is the host of Arts InFocus, WXXI-TV's weekly arts and culture program. She is also a fill-in host and regular contributor to Need To Know.