flu may 11 2019

Pennsylvania Department of Health flu report through May 11, 2019. The chart compares the last eight seasons statewide; this one is in red. 

A total of 333 new flu cases have been confirmed across Pennsylvania, bringing the season tally to 98,453, and 15 more deaths attributed to the flu, bringing the season tally to 157, according to the state Department of Health.

Experts say only a small fraction of cases are confirmed, as many people who get the flu aren't tested.

According to Associated Press reporting, this was the longest U.S. flu season in at least a decade.

The latest Pennsylvania report, dated May 11, shows a season tally of 2,355 confirmed cases in Lancaster County, up three since last report.

The department doesn't say where in the state flu deaths happened, but per the last reports from Lancaster County hospitals there have been seven here. Three were women, one in the 65+ age group and two in the 50-64 age group, and three were men, both in the 65+ age group; LNP was not given an age and gender for the seventh.

Of the people who have died statewide, the department reported two were in the 0-18 age group; 13 were in the 19-49 age group; 35 were in the 50-64 age group; and 107 were age 65 or older.

A preliminary estimate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recently says this season the flu shot is 47 percent effective in preventing illness severe enough to send someone to the doctor's office. Last season's preliminary estimate was 36 percent.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu shot each year, with rare exceptions.

CDC cold or flu

The CDC has provided this handy primer to help people discern whether they have a cold or the flu.

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