Early flu season slams local area
By Brian C. Rittmeyer
Trib Total Media
More than half of the flu cases reported in Pennsylvania so far this season are in the Greater Pittsburgh area, with Allegheny County having the most of any county in state in a season that is off to an early start.
A total of 4,424 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported, with reports from 64 of the state’s 67 counties, according to data the state Department of Health released Tuesday.
Flu activity is widespread and increasing in all regions of the state.
Seven counties in the Greater Pittsburgh area — Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland — account for 2,330 of the cases, or 53%.
On a per-capita basis, however, Allegheny (one case per 1,000 residents) trails both Beaver (2.6 cases) and Washington (1.7 cases). Westmoreland has seen 218 flu cases so far, or 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
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