State reports more than 50 flu cases for season

Though flu cases in the state remain low, they did pass the marker of more than 50 positive tests last week.

However, there were no new flurelated deaths or hospitalizations that week.

According to the latest report from the state Department of Public Health, as of Feb. 6, 53 people had tested positive for flu in the state — up from 47 the previous week. There have been 13 flu-related hospitalizations this season and one flu-related death.

The percent of visits to outpatient clinics attributed to flu-like illness also declined — to .53 percent from .66 the previous week. The report also stated that the percent of emergency room visits attributed to flu-like illness was similar to the previous week but “much lower” than in past flu seasons.

Though January and February are often the peak months for flu cases, this season has been an unusually quiet one. Last year, as of Feb. 1, there had been 1,366 flu-related hospitalizations in the state, 32 flu-related deaths and 6,404 people had tested positive for the flu.

Connecticut isn’t the only state with low numbers. In its weekly disease reports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has repeatedly stated that “seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains lower than usual for this time of year.”

Many experts have attributed the low number of cases to the protective measures people have taken to guard against COVID-19, including wearing masks and social distancing. The measures can also be effective in preventing other respiratory illnesses, including the flu.

Flu activity in Connecticut has been designated as “sporadic” for several weeks, meaning that a small number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases or a single laboratory-confirmed outbreak has been reported, but there is no increase in cases of influenza-like illness.