Influenza-Related Hospital Visits Increase
By Staff Reporter of the Sun | January 17, 2008
As New Yorkers battle flu season, hospital visits among patients with respiratory illness, fever, and influenza symptoms are up 16%, the city's health department reported.
Health officials said there were 5,832 influenza-related hospital visits last week, compared to an average of 4,900 visits a week in November.
In a statement, the city's health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Frieden, said it was not too late for individuals to get flu shots.
"Influenza can be deadly for older people and younger children," he said.
"Influenza is here, but it is not too late to protect yourself and your family."
