131 Hospitalized, 4 Dead From Flu So Far In Montgomery County

NORRISTOWN, PA — As the flu makes a deadly sweep across Pennsylvania, Montgomery County has not been left untouched.

For the 2017-2018 winter, 131 Montgomery County residents have been hospitalized due to the flu, and four of them have died. Those numbers include 148 confirmed cases, and 939 suspected cases of the flu.

The total number of flu-related deaths this season in Pennsylvania to 47. As of last week, as reported by Patch, there were a total of 32 flu-related deaths so far this season, which extends from Oct. 1, 2017 through May 19, 2018. Experts have said for weeks this flu season was going to be bad and indeed it is panning out: "Widespread" virus activity is ongoing in Pennsylvania.

Since October, more than 25,000 people in Pennsylvania have fallen ill from the virus. The hardest hit counties include Allegheny, where more than 4,000 cases have been reported, and York, where there have been more than 1,400 cases so far this season.

Montgomery County health officials reiterated that the flu vaccine "is the single best way to protect adults and children" from the flu.

Nearby, Chester County has had 543 probable cases, Bucks 703, and Delco 927.

Free flu shots are offered at three locations around Montgomery County:

• Norristown Health Center, 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, 610-278-5145
• Mondays, children under 19 by appointment, Tuesdays walk-in from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Pottstown Health Center, 364 King Street, Pottstown, 610-970-5040
  • Monday, walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wedensdays, children under 19 by appointment from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Willow Grove Health Center, 102 York Road, Suite 401, Willow Grove
  • Wednesdays, walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Thursdays, children under 19 by appointment, 9 a.m. to noon

Here are some tips if you get the flu:

• 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 or sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue.

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