Flu Virus Hits Hard As Number Sickened In NYC Spikes

NEW YORK CITY – Flu has hit New York City hard with 728 people sickened by the virus in the most recent week that figures were collected.

Brooklyn saw most people sickened with 285 patients during the week ending November 30, according to the state's Department of Health. That's a 43% increase from the week before.

But the number of cases saw a spike across the city. In Manhattan, they rose by 71% to 72; The Bronx saw 217 patients, up 67%; Queens had 131 people sick, a 54% increase; and in Staten Island cases went up by 229% to 23.

Across the state, the case rate was 5.89 per 100,000 people, an increase of nearly 60 percent from the previous week.

Flu season mainly encompasses the period from October through May. Over the last three seasons, 20 children have died from flu, state officials said. Each season averages about 18,352 flu-related hospitalizations in the state.

The recent uptick in cases led Howard Zucker, the state health commissioner, to declare flu prevalent. This means health care workers who do not get vaccinated must wear surgical or procedure masks in areas where there are typically patients.

"Getting vaccinated remains the best way for all New Yorkers to protect against the flu, and it is vital for caregivers who come in contact with patients to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of flu," Zucker said.