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By Forum Staff
The number of lab-confirmed influenza cases and flu-related hospitalizations in New York continue to escalate, according to the latest Empire State influenza activity data.
In the first week of January, 1,964 New Yorkers were hospitalized with lab-confirmed flu—up 34 percent from the previous week, the State Department of Health noted.
Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday directed the DOH to take additional steps to ensure healthcare facilities are prepared for the remainder of the flu season. Cuomo also directed the department to begin enhanced monitoring of hospitals through the Health Emergency Response Data System to ensure that facilities have the capacity, guidance, and resources necessary to combat the recent surge in hospitalizations.
According to DOH, there have been 5,694 flu-related hospitalizations in NY this season. There have been a total of 32,848 lab-confirmed cases reported this season, with one flu-associated pediatric death reported.
By utilizing HERDS, State healthcare facilities will be required to report numerous flu-related information to DOH each week, including their capacity by types of patient-care units; whether they have activated their surge plan; and whether they have adequate ventilators and antivirals, in addition to other information.
“As the numbers of flu cases and flu hospitalizations continue to rise, I’ve directed the Department of Health to use every tool at its disposal to make sure our healthcare system remains prepared for an influx of patients,” Cuomo said. “While providers are taking extra steps in response to the uptick in the flu season, New Yorkers can still protect themselves and others by getting a flu shot.”
Earlier this month, DOH issued a statewide health advisory alerting healthcare providers to the dramatic increase in flu activity across the state. The advisory also encourages providers to promote the effectiveness of patients getting vaccinated to help prevent the spread of influenza. While the effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary, this year’s flu vaccine is likely to be more effective against the types of flu viruses that are circulating this season, as flu vaccines tend to work best against influenza A (H1) and B viruses, according to State Health officials.
“As our hospitals have experienced a surge in flu-associated hospitalizations, we are working closely with them to make sure they are equipped to meet the demands of this flu season,” said NY Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, M.D. “The sizable increase in the number of people hospitalized further emphasizes the importance of getting a flu shot now.”
Zucker also noted that the State DOH recommends and urges that everyone 6 months of age or older receive a flu vaccination. The vaccine is especially important for people at high risk for complications from influenza, including children under age 2, pregnant women, and adults over age 65. People with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and heart disease, are also at greater risk, as are individuals with weakened immune systems due to disease or medications such as chemotherapy or chronic steroid use. Since the flu can spread easily by coughing or sneezing, it is also important that family members and people in regular contact with high-risk individuals get the vaccine, Zucker added.
