NEW JERSEY (PIX11) — On Friday, the New Jersey Department of Health reported the first confirmed pediatric flu death of the season.
The child was under five years old and did not have co-existing conditions, according to the NJDOH.
“This flu season is already shaping up to be a very serious one, with more cases than previous years and, tragically, one child’s death this week. We extend our deepest condolences to the child’s family,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown.
The latest update from the New Jersey respiratory illness dashboard indicates that while the number of cases and hospitalizations is decreasing, wastewater activity levels are increasing.
There were 9,288 reported cases last week, compared to the 12,418 average cases reported the two weeks prior.
The NJDOH is encouraging residents to get vaccinated to reduce the spread of flu and other respiratory viruses.
