Patch: Flu Activity Sees Major Jump In CA, 8 Deaths In Last Week Of 2019

In the last week of 2019, from Christmas Day to New Years, eight Californians died from the flu. In 2019, government health officials reported that the flu caused at least 6.4 million illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations, and about 3,000 deaths. However, prior to December 21, the CDC reported only 4.6 million illnesses, 39,000 hospitalizations, and 2100 deaths. The CDC reports a dramatic increase in flu cases during all of December. Most illnesses appear to be caused by influenza B/Victoria virus. In California, where flu activity is high throughout, there have been an estimated 54 deaths caused by influenza, with a majority aged 65 and older. The most sensitive groups to the flu are older adults, young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and some vomiting/diarrhea.

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