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Urgent cares ‘out of control’ as flu numbers peak in New York

ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) — This flu season isn’t just severe anymore. This is historical.

New York is now facing Worst flu surge in historyand health officials warn the timing could make the situation even more dangerous.

With the holidays approaching, emergency rooms and hospitals are filling up quickly.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. “We saw 20,000 more cases in the week ending December 20th than the week before,” James McDonald told News 8. “We saw more than 3,600 people in hospital. This was more than last year’s peak in the week ending December 20.”

More than 71,000 positive flu cases were reported in New York in just seven days; this was the highest number since influenza became a reportable disease in 2004.

Hospitalizations are rising at the same pace, rising 63 percent in one week.

“About 85 to 90 per cent of the patients we see every day test positive for the flu. It’s spreading like wildfire right now,” said Patty Venniro, a family nurse practitioner with Family Health NP Urgent Care in Ontario.

With 2,300 flu cases reported in Monroe County in just one week, Venniro said his team is seeing the strain on urgent care and emergency rooms.

“We see everyone we can see,” Venniro said. “Yes, sometimes there is a line out the door and people have to wait, but everyone seems to be pretty patient, we let them in, see them and take them back home hoping they start feeling better.”

Doctors say getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, washing hands and wearing a mask in crowded places can help slow the spread. And it should be emphasized that if you have not yet received the flu vaccine, you still have time.

Dr. “Flu can be treated with an antiviral drug and can help shorten the duration of the illness and perhaps keep someone out of the hospital,” McDonald said.

Health experts add that it’s important to get checked out if flu symptoms, such as high fever, body aches, cough or extreme fatigue, last longer than a week or suddenly worsen.

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