New York State has set a new record that is not likely to get much celebration.  The state now has more documented cases of seasonal influenza than it ever has had since records started being kept. 

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While some numbers are on the decline, including new cases reported for the week, the State Health Department says as of February 22, there had been 131-thousand, 604 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu this season.  Previously, the most cases in a season was 128-thousand, 892 in 2017-2018. 

The flu season generally runs from October to May.

In a release from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office, health officials say the number of laboratory-confirmed cases decreased 26 percent for the week and hospitalizations fell 13 percent.

While the documented number of cases has hit a record high, the bright spot is that the number of new cases and hospitalizations have decreased for a second consecutive week.

Officials still encourage anyone who has not done so yet, to get a flu shot as several more weeks of the season remain.

More information on New York flu statistics can be found at the state Health Department website.

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