New York reports record number of flu hospitalizations in a single week

New York is reporting the highest number of flu hospitalizations on record in a single week, the state health department said Friday.

During the week ending December 27, 4,546 people were hospitalized with the flu, a 24% increase from the 3,666 who were hospitalized the previous week, according to data from the New York State Department of Health (NYSOH).

It comes after the state reported a record number of flu cases in a single week with 72,133 infections during the week ending December 20.

NYSDOH issued a statement last month stating that influenza is prevalent in New York, requiring healthcare facilities and agencies to ensure that all staff who have not received this year’s flu vaccine wear masks in any areas where patients and residents may be present.

“We are having a more severe flu season than in previous years; nearly 1,000 more people were admitted to a hospital during this most recent seven-day period compared to the previous week,” Dr. James McDonald, the state’s health commissioner, said in a statement Friday.

Meanwhile, flu activity is also increasing across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths from the flu so far this season.

New York is one of 20 states reporting “very high” levels of respiratory disease activity, according to the latest report. CDC data.

Public health experts previously told ABC News that many of this season’s cases are linked to a new flu strain called subclade K, a variant of the H3N2 virus, which is itself a subtype of influenza A.

The K subclade has been circulating since the summer in other countries and was the main driver of an increase in flu cases in Canada. Japan and the united kingdom

Of the 1,600 flu samples tested by the CDCapproximately 92% were H3N2. Of those samples, almost 90% belonged to the K subclade.

Experts expect flu-like illnesses to continue to rise in the coming weeks after holiday gatherings and colder weather.

Currently, the The CDC recommends That everyone over 6 months of age, with rare exceptions, get a flu vaccine.

The federal health agency states on its website that getting vaccinated annually against the flu prevents millions of flu-related illnesses and doctor visits each year and is especially important for those who are at higher risk for serious complications.

Currently, the flu vaccine is available to New Yorkers ages 2 and older at a healthcare provider’s office or at participating pharmacies, while children ages 6 months and older can receive the flu vaccine at a healthcare provider’s office, according to the state health department.

“There is still time to get a flu vaccine and remember that the flu can be treated with antiviral medications if it is started within 48 hours of symptoms appearing and your doctor deems it appropriate,” McDonald said.

Youri Benadjaoud of ABC News contributed to this report.