First Pediatric Flu Death Of Season As COVID Cases, Hospitalizations Rise In CT

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut health officials announced the first pediatric flu death of the 2022-2023 season. The news comes as Connecticut’s flu season is shaping up to be the worst in recent memory. On top of that, COVID-19 hospitalizations reached the highest level since mid-February.

The pediatric flu victim was a New Haven County child that was 9-years-old or younger, according to the state Department of Public Health. No other information about the victim was released.

There are more than 22,000 Connecticut flu cases, about 531 hospitalizations and 18 deaths. This flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in the past decade, DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said in recorded remarks Thursday.

“The flu continues to circulate and is particularly dangerous to the very youngest and the oldest people in your life,” she said. “The holidays are just around the corner, so I strongly recommend that persons 6 months of age and older get a flu shot to help protect themselves and their family members.”

Juthani encouraged people to practice good respiratory virus etiquette by staying home when sick, washing hands and wearing a mask if not feeling well.

COVID-19 cases are also marching upward both nationally and in Connecticut. The state reported more than 3,800 new cases over the past seven days and a positive test rate of 11.45 percent.

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 crossed the 500-mark for the first time since Feb. 10.

The U.S. averaged about 65,600 daily cases Dec. 14, which was a 44 percent increase from 14 days prior, according to the New York Times coronavirus tracker.

Reported COVID-19 K-12 school cases are also marching upward, which is challenging school districts with staffing levels. There were 523 cases among staff between Dec. 8-14, which was slightly higher than the prior seven-day period. There were 986 student cases between Dec. 8-14.

Below are town-by-town COVID-19 cases, or click here.