Berks, Northampton and Lehigh counties are numbers two, three and four in the state for the number of flu cases so far in the season that began Oct. 2, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Allegheny County — with a population of 1.2 million as of 2013, according to the U.S. Census — is the runaway leader with 2,238 cases.
But Northampton County, with 299,791 residents in the same Census count, had 969 cases as of Jan. 28 to land in third place on the list, the department said. And Northampton County’s rate of one case of flu for every 309 residents is far greater than Allegheny’s rate of one case for every 531 residents.
Lehigh County has recorded 931 cases so far — one case for every 381 residents — and was fourth.
Berks County, with 1,269 cases — one case for every 326 residents — was No. 2 on the list.
The department said flu is widespread at this point, is continuing to increase and is worst in the southeastern portion of the state.
Getting a flu shot can still protect you this season — although it can take two weeks to fully take effect, the Pocono Record reports.
Ten flu deaths were reported during the week that ended Jan. 28, bringing the season total to 33 in Pennsylvania, state officials said. Twenty-nine of the deaths were in people 65 or older; there have been no pediatric flu deaths, according to the Department of Health.
By far, Influenza A is the most-seen strain in Pennsylvania, with Influenza B a distant second and Influenza U a rarity, figures show.
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The state only calculates cases “that have a positive laboratory test for flu reported to the department.” That’s only a fraction of the actual cases because most people who get the illness do not go to the doctor, officials said.
The flu season generally ends in May, but the worst of the flu is usually over by March, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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