Flu Cases Continue to Climb in PA

The number of confirmed flu cases in Pennsylvania continues to climb.

The latest data released Tuesday by the state Health Department shows the total number of confirmed flu cases at 8,812 so far this season, as of Saturday.

There have been 23 deaths as of Jan. 11, including seven people over age 65 and 10 people between the ages of 50 to 64. The others were between 19 and 49 years of age.   

The breakdown in the number of confirmed flu cases is as follows:

• Bucks: 128
• Lehigh: 228
• Montgomery: 230
• Northampton: 248

Lab-confirmed flu cases represent only a fraction of those with the flu, state health officials say, since most people—including those who seek health care—are diagnosed without lab testing. 

There were about 2,800 confirmed cases of the flu in the state over the past week, the health department data shows. That number is still well below the weekly peak of 6,000 cases at this time last year, state data shows. 

It's not too late to get a flu vaccine to better protect yourself from the flu—and the fever and body aches that go with it.

The state Department of Health’s website and the flu vaccine finder provide information by county or zip code as to where to get flu shots.