As Coronavirus Fears Grow, Flu Cases Skyrocket In NJ – Patch.com

NEW JERSEY — The world’s focus has turned to the coronavirus. But new data released by the New Jersey Department of Health shows that the flu continues to be a major problem locally – just as a suspected case of the coronavirus is being investigated in the state.

The number reported of flu-related cases in New Jersey within the past two months has more than doubled. At least 8 hospitals have even imposed restrictions now that more than 2,000 New Jerseyans have fallen ill with the flu and two children have died, state health officials say.

The actions came as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the state’s outbreak “widespread.” Officials were also dealing with a suspected coronavirus case at a New Jersey hospital on Saturday – the same day that the first death associated with the disease in the United States was reported.

The number of flu cases in New Jersey rose sharply from 268 during the week that ended on Dec. 14, 438 during the following week, 967 on Jan. 4 and, finally, 2066 on Feb. 8, according to state Department of Health statistics. On Feb. 22, the number was down to 1,043.

These sample cases, called “rapid-test,” identify the form of quick tests that the state uses as part of its weekly survey of the flu’s impact on New Jersey. The state broke down the numbers county-by-county (see numbers below).

Some counties, such as Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean, have had high numbers of positive flu tests compared to last year based on surveys conducted by the state Department of Health.

A young child from southern New Jersey died at the end of December. The first death, a North Jersey infant, occurred at the end of October, according to state health officials.

The state Department of Health said 51 children have been severely sick with the flu in New Jersey this season and 105 have died nationwide.

State officials say the predominant strain of influenza in New Jersey is “B,” which is highly contagious and can have dangerous effects on your health in more severe cases, according to healthline.com.

The statewide flu data is based on state Department of Health laboratory specimens dating back to the beginning of the season, which officials say was October 2019.

Last year, New Jersey had an especially bad season that was attributed to infections from a flu strain known as H3N2. It responds poorly to vaccinations and is particularly dangerous to young children and older adults over the age of 65.

New Jersey also had a high number of H1N1 virus, otherwise known as the “swine flu.”
H1N1 swine flu isn’t always severe, but when it’s bad, “it’s really bad,” according to WebMD. Patients hospitalized with pandemic flu have an 11 percent fatality rate, data from California suggested in the publication.

Here are the New Jersey counties with the most and least affected positive rapid flu tests from the health department’s surveillance, comparing the week that ended on Jan. 4 to the weeks that ended on Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22:

Feb. 22, 2020:

Feb. 15, 2020:

Feb. 8, 2020:

Dec. 14, 2019:

These hospitals have imposed restrictions because of the flu: Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Mountainside Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, Palisades Medical Center, Pascack Valley Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy and Old Bridge and Southern Ocean Medical Center, said Radwin.

Health officials say it’s important for those who have not yet gotten a flu shot—especially health care workers—to get one, state officials say.

The Department of Health also recommends that people take the necessary precautions during this flu season: Wash or disinfect your hands frequently, cover any coughs and sneezes, stay home and call your health care provider if you are sick (especially with a fever).

Residents can find flu vaccination clinics near them by calling their local health department or by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/flu-finder-widget.html. Local health department contact information can be found on this site: www.localhealth.nj.gov

To learn more about flu, please visit https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml. Flu Information for parents can be found on the department’s website.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, headaches and fatigue. The flu virus is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by touching something that someone with the virus has touched.

You can pass the flu to someone else both before and while you are sick. Adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and as many as five to seven days after becoming ill, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Some people, especially young children and those with weakened immune systems, may be able to infect others for an even longer time.

To treat the flu, use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms. Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids. If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you may be able to take an antiviral drug that will reduce the severity of symptoms and the length of illness.

Here are some additional tips:

Stay home if you are sick.
Avoid touching your face — your mouth, nose, and eyes.
Wash your hands frequently.
Avoid others who are sick.
Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.