Flu Cases Spike, 442 VA Deaths Reported In 2019-20 Season
VA health officials say no pediatric deaths are among 442 flu fatalities this season; Influenza B virus was the most common this week.
By Deb Belt, Patch Staff
Jan 25, 2020 3:23 pm ET
health & fitness
Flu Cases Spike, 442 VA Deaths Reported In 2019-20 Season
VA health officials say no pediatric deaths are among 442 flu fatalities this season; Influenza B virus was the most common this week.
By Deb Belt, Patch Staff
Jan 25, 2020 3:23 pm ET
Influenza A is on the rise, although Influenza B remains the prevalent strain in reported flu cases across the U.S. Virginia has seen 442 flu and pneumonia deaths this season. (Shutterstock)
VIRGINIA — Flu-related illnesses the week of Jan. 18 spiked across Virginia, although state health officials said no pediatric deaths caused by influenza have been reported this flu season. There were 15 million flu cases nationwide as health officials from the Centers for Disease Control reported an additional 1,400 deaths since last week — 15 of which were of children.
As influenza B — which tends to affect children and young people more — continued to dominate among tested cases, some regions are now reporting an increase in proportions of Influenza A compared to the B strain, according to the CDC's latest flu report. The influenza B strain of the flu has been the predominant type of virus in Virginia in the past week, making up 68 percent of the cases.
The Virginia Department of Health has received report of 442 pneumonia and influenza-associated deaths during the 2019-20 flu season.
Read more at: https://patch.com/virginia/leesburg/flu-cases-spike-442-va-deaths-reported-2019-20-season
In talking about the Coronavirus, one is bound to eventually hear something like, "Well, the flu kills a lot of people every year", that's certainly true.
So, I was just trying to web search for deaths this current flu season and this article showed up. I'm not trying to talk particularly about Virginia.
But 442, that sure sounds like an awfully lot. It would be really for me, a lot per any state, even our most populated states.
