The flu has claimed the lives of three Philadelphians as the number of infections have begun to climb in the city, heath officials confirm to NBC10.
Philadelphia Health Department spokesman Jeff Moran says the department had just been notified of the deaths, but could not yet say when they succumbed to the virus. He also did not immediately have information on their identity, age, what part of the city they lived and whether they had other health conditions.
So far this flu season, which runs from Sept. 20 to May 18, 66 cases of the influenza virus have been confirmed in Philadelphia, Moran said. He says the number of infections are starting to trend upwards, but remain around normal levels for this time of year.
Statewide, there are 3,800 confirmed cases of flu and six people have died, Pennsylvania Department of Health officials said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says over the past 31 years, flu activity nationwide most often peaks in February.
In a state-by-state breakdown, the agency says the flu is currently widespread in Pa. In New Jersey, infections are restricted to regional areas and local areas in Delaware.
The map below shows the current spread of influenza:
Click to enlarge
