CDC reports rise in flu-related deaths among children

New data shows flu deaths for children are reaching record highs this season as concerns and uncertainty over the coronavirus continue.

News 12 Staff

Feb 21, 2020, 11:50 PM

Updated 1,518 days ago

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New data shows flu deaths for children are reaching record highs this season as concerns and uncertainty over the coronavirus continue.
New numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate there's been at least 29 million flu cases in the United States, with 280,000 people hospitalized and 16,000 people killed so far this season.
Of those deaths, 105 were children — the highest since the flu pandemic in 2009.
As Americans continue to battle flu season, coronavirus still looms in the minds of many.
“On one hand we're dealing with a new virus, a novel coronavirus, and the reason that's so important is because when you have a new virus there's still ways it may behave that you just don’t know, you can’t predict,” says CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Globally, there have been over 76,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and over 2,000 deaths. In the U.S., there is now more than 30 confirmed cases.
Several Americans that tested positive for the virus are being treated in Omaha, Nebraska. So far, no U.S. deaths have been reported. Additionally, more evacuees have released from quarantine in Miramar.
The CDC says the people released have no health risk to the public.
The New York state Health Department says six kids have died from influenza this season. They say the only good flu news this week was a 17% drop in influenza cases since last week, as well as a decrease in hospitalizations.
 
 


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