In Colorado, 3,550 flu patients have been admitted to the hospital since October, according to data compiled by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The state began gathering comparable flu data from the 2004-05 season, and the latest hospitalization numbers broke a record set during the 2014-15 flu season.
“This year is certainly unique,” said Rachel Herlihy, MD, an epidemiologist with CDPHE. Although the flu season across Colorado peaked in December, the state is seeing an equal number of cases now that it would see during past years’ peak season, Dr. Herlihy said.
“It appears that the season has peaked, but La Plata and Archuleta counties have only been seeing a slight drop in positive flu test results,” said Claire Ninde, agency spokesperson.
It is not yet clear if this year’s flu vaccine, which the CDC recently reported to be 36 percent effective, was a factor in the high number of hospitalizations, Ms. Ninde said.
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