PA Sees High Flu Levels

If it seems like everyone has been sick lately, there might be some truth to it.

Pennsylvania health officials say flu cases are “very high” this winter, putting a strain on cold and flu medicine stocks on local pharmacy shelves and prompting a warning of a possible second surge.

Data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows a significant increase in flu cases.

From late September through last week, 153,350 laboratory-confirmed flu cases have been reported statewide, including 6,800 in Bucks County.

The percentage of emergency department visits resulting in a flu diagnosis is very high for all age groups, especially newborns to 24-year-olds, officials said.

This season, 348 flu-related deaths of Pennsylvania residents have been reported by the National Center for Health Statistics.

Last season, from late September to mid-June, there were 503 flu-related deaths in Pennsylvania.

The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania has cautioned that a second wave of flu cases could continue through February.

While flu cases remain elevated, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases are declining across all age groups in the state, according to health officials.

The percentage of emergency department visits with an RSV diagnosis is also decreasing.

COVID-19 remains present in Pennsylvania, but reported rates are much lower than in previous years.

The percentage of emergency department visits with a COVID-19 diagnosis is currently low statewide.

So far in the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, 793 Pennsylvanians have died from COVID-19.

Confirmed case numbers likely underestimate the true extent of illness, as many people do not get tested at a medical office or use at-home tests that are not reported.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance have asked residents to stay up to date on their annual vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV to help protect themselves and others.

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