This article appeared in WXYZ. Read the full story here.
The flu is hitting Michigan extremely hard.
A new report says our state is the second sickest in the country – with hundreds of thousands currently ill in Michigan alone.
These new numbers indicate nearly seven percent of Michigan’s population has flu-like symptoms.
A map just released from KinsaHealth.com shows our state is only second behind Georgia’s eight percent of the population suffering from flu-like symptoms.
FLU NUMBERS: This map from @kinsa shows nearly 7% of Michigan population, or 700K, have flu like symptoms. We are only second behind Georgia. According to @CDCgov, 4.6 million have the flu nationwide. @wxyzdetroit @CDCFlu
With 2,100 deaths from the flu this season, there were three pediatric deaths last week, raising the season’s total to 22 pediatric deaths.
Today, the CDC is expected to release new updated numbers.
CDC Flu
✔@CDCFlu(1/2) According to CDC’s #FluSight forecasting experts, there is about a 40% chance flu activity peaked nationally in late December, a 30% chance it will peak in January and 25% chance it will peak in February.
Doctors are now warning people to get their flu shots.
“Influenza varies from year to year,” said Dr. Alan Taege with Cleveland Clinic. “Match that anticipated type of influenza.”
The CDC is predicting flu activity will remain elevated through mid-January.
Some metro Detroit hospitals have temporary visitor restrictions in place because of the flu, including Henry Ford Health System and Detroit Medical Center.