Influenza claims state's first child fatality
A child between the ages of 1 and 5 years old has become the flu season’s first pediatric fatality in Connecticut, the state Department of Public Health reported Thursday.
The child was one of nine additional influenza fatalities reported for the week of Jan. 26 through Feb. 1. So far this season, Connecticut has had a total of 32 fatalities and more than 1,350 hospitalizations due to influenza. Flu virus activity continues to be widespread across the state.
“The death of any child is an absolute tragedy, and our hearts go out the Connecticut family who lost their child last week,” DPH Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell said. “I want to remind Connecticut residents that influenza is the virus that we are most worried about right now.”
The department estimates that 10% to 15% of Connecticut residents will come down with the flu before the season is over. Residents who have not gotten a flu shot are urged to do so.
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