Flu-Related Deaths, Hospital Stays Skyrocket Again In CT

HARTFORD, CT, — The number of flu-related deaths and patients who have been hospitalized continues to skyrocket in Connecticut, according to the latest numbers released by the state Department of Public Health on Thursday.

A total of 32 Connecticut residents have died as a result of the flu this season, and 824 patients have been hospitalized with confirmed cases from August 27, 2017 through Jan. 20, 2018. Of the 32 deaths, 23 are associated with flu A and 9 with flu B, state officials said.

Of these deaths, 28 were among patients over the age of 65, 2 were 50-64 years of age, 1 was 25-49 years of age, and 1 was between 5-17 years of age. Nick Mallozzi, 10, of New Canaan, died on Jan. 14 from the flu, which turned to pneumonia and eventually sepsis. Nick attended a hockey tournament in upstate New York and became ill and died at a hospital. A GoFundMe page has been established in Nico's name to assist his family.

"According to this week’s update, which tracks flu activity through January 20th, flu activity in Connecticut remains high and widespread with an increasing number of patients presenting with flu symptoms, as well as increasing numbers of flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths," the state Department of Public Health said in a news release.

State health officials are urging residents to get the flu vaccine saying it's definitely not too late in the season.

“The peak flu season may still be several weeks away. I encourage Connecticut residents who have not yet received a flu shot to get one as soon as possible,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Raul Pino in a statement.

In conjunction with local health departments and districts across the state, DPH announced that free/low cost influenza vaccines will be provided at several locations across the state on Saturday, January 27th. The schedule and locations of flu clinics for Saturday can be found at the end of this story.

Vaccine administered to children 18 and younger will be made available free of charge. Vaccine for children comes from the Connecticut Vaccine Program, which provides influenza vaccine free of charge for all children 6 months through 18-years-old.

Adult vaccine will be provided at no cost to those without insurance. Residents with insurance should bring their card and will be charged a small administrative fee, but will not be charged out of pocket for the vaccine.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that is spread through the air and by direct contact with respiratory droplets. Typical symptoms of the flu include sudden fever, aching muscles, sore throat,
coughing, runny nose, headache and eye pain.

While anyone, particularly individuals who are not vaccinated, can contract the flu, the illness is especially dangerous for certain groups, including people aged 65 and older, children younger than 2-years-old, pregnant women and people of any age with chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, congestive heart failure or lung disease, officials said.

Branford: East Shore Health District: 688 East Main St. Orchard Research Park, Branford
10am-12pm 203-481-4233Cromwell (*)

Cromwell Town Hall: 41 W St 3, Municipal Center, Cromwell
9am-1pm 860-632-3426 or 860-632-2256

Fairfield: Health Dept. Nursing Office, 100 Mona Terrace, Fairfield
9am-12pm 203-256-3020

Glastonbury (*): Glastonbury Town Hall, 2155 Main St., Glastonbury
10am-1pm 860-652-7534

Hartford: Arroyo Community Center @Pope Park: 30 Pope Park, Hartford
10am-2pm 860-543-8800

Middletown (*): Cromwell Town Hall: 41 W St 3, Cromwell
9am-1pm 860-638-4960

New London: Ledge Light Health District: 216 Broad St. New London
11am-1pm 860-448-4882

Old Saybrook (*): CT River Area Health District Office, 455 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook (Saybrook Junction)
10am-1pm 860-661-3300

Orange: Orange Health Department, 605 A Orange Center Rd, Orange
9am -1pm 203-891-4733

Stamford: Stamford Health Department: 888 Washington Blvd, Stamford
9am-1pm 203-977-5652

Storrs/Uconn: (UConn students only) UConn Student Health Services: 234 Glenbrook Rd, Storrs
8:30am-3pm 860-486-4700

Storrs: EO Smith High School: 1235 Storrs Rd, Storrs
12pm-3pm 860-429-3325

Stratford: Stratford Health Department, 468 Birdseye St., 3rd Floor Nursing Office, Stratford
9am-1pm 203-385-4090

West Haven : Orange Health Department, 605 A Orange Center Rd, Orange
9am-1pm 203-937-3660

* indicates that the child vaccine is only available for children over age 4 at these locations.

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