New York

Flu Season Isn't Over Yet in New York, But is No Longer Prevalent: Health Officials

Health workers not vaccinated against the flu are no longer required to wear masks in patient areas

What to Know

  • Flu season isn't over yet in New York, but health care workers not vaccinated against the flu are no longer required to wear masks.
  • Flu activity peaked during the third week of February, when more than 9,600 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in a seven-day span.
  • Six children have died from the illness this season.

New York health officials say the influenza season isn't over yet but flu is no longer prevalent in the state.

State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker says that means health care workers who aren't vaccinated against the flu are no longer required to wear masks in areas where patients are typically present.

Zucker declared influenza prevalent in the state on Dec. 20. Flu activity peaked during the week ending Feb. 23, 2019, when more than 9,600 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported in one week.

Health officials say that as of last weekend, there were nearly 107,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza and more than 18,000 hospitalizations during the flu season. Six children died from the illness.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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