United States: The current flu outbreak in Massachusetts has reached its top category among the state levels while taking nearly 200 lives since the start of the year, including at least six pediatric fatalities, according to officials.
More about the news
Studies from the state Department of Public Health (DPH) indicate that the epidemic has reached the “very high” level, which represents their top classification.
The flu epidemic evolved from a “moderate” status to a “high” status on January 18.
The flu epidemic moved to its highest classification of “very high” on February 1.
The flu brought about 45 deaths across Massachusetts during the week, which ended on February 20, according to statistics released by the state’s DPH.
What are the experts stating?
The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta has documented nationwide flu case numbers at 24 million, while hospitals treated approximately 310,000 patients because of the outbreak.
Nationally, 13,000 deaths due to influenza have been confirmed. Massachusetts deaths from the flu currently approach the 251 fatalities of last year, matching the highest death toll since 2019.
The DPH reports that reported coronavirus cases have decreased statewide alongside falling local cases that dropped to 22 during the week of February 22.
The statewide decline in confirmed cases numbered 398 during the week ending February 22, and the local numbers dropped by 10.
Additionally, confirmed coronavirus cases across the state reached 825 during the period between February 22.
The state numbers have recorded a seventh week of decreasing cases since the previous month. The decrease in confirmed cases between February 15 and February 22 reached 398, which represents a 32.54% reduction from 1,223 previous cases reported on February 15.
County public health statistics showed a decrease from 32 reported cases to 22 reported cases throughout the 10 towns of Attleboro, Foxboro, Mansfield, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham during the period ending February 22.