City Swine Flu Deaths Higher than Previously Known
More than 900 people have been hospitalized from the virus
Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 | Updated 4:15 PM EST
AP
City officials said most of the seven fatal cases involved people with underlying risk factor.
This year's swine flu epidemic has killed at least 47 people in New York, health officials said today.
That's nine more deaths than previously known.
Almost all of the city's victims had underlying medical conditions that put them more at risk from the virus. Those illnesses included asthma, diabetes or an immune system deficiency. Most people who catch the bug have only mild symptoms.
More than 900 New Yorkers have been hospitalized with swine flu since April.
There have been no new hospitalizations reported in July. The city says the number of people getting treatment for flu symptoms is now lower than when the outbreak began.
Meantime, U.S. officials said Thursday they are planning for a vaccination campaign against the new H1N1 flu that could move into schools and community centers.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that at least 1 million people in the United States have been infected, most with moderate cases.
