-
Social Distancing for COVID Is Suppressing Other Viruses, Experts Say
As coronavirus cases have surged across the country, other viruses, like the flu, are in decline because of the widespread shutdowns. It’s good news, but experts fear a rebound when lockdowns are lifted.
-
Fewer Black Kids Getting Flu Shots, Worrying CDC Officials
New government data suggests more Americans have been getting flu shots this year, apparently heeding the advice of health officials fearful of a flu and coronavirus double pandemic
-
How Can I Tell the Difference Between the Flu and COVID-19?
The flu and COVID-19 have such similar symptoms, you may need to get tested to know which type of virus is making you miserable.
-
Health Officials Brace for Dual Threats of Flu Season, COVID-19 Pandemic
As flu season approaches during the coronavirus pandemic, health officials are bracing for what could be a difficult stretch. With children are starting to go back to school, local and national health experts are warning that people need to remain vigilant to prevent a repeat of the COVID-19 surges we saw last spring. “We are absolutely preparing for the possibility…
-
Mass. Students, Kids in Day Care Must Get Flu Vaccine, DPH Says Amid Pandemic
Students at Massachusetts schools from kindergarten up to universities, as well as children at least 6 months old in day care, must get the flu vaccine by the end of the year if they’re around others, health officials said Wednesday. The new requirement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health comes amid the coronavirus pandemic, which public health experts have…
-
Flu Shot Required for All Mass. Students in 2020
All students taking in-person classes or participating in school activities in Massachusetts will have to get the flu vaccine this year, as well as children at least 6 months old in child care.
-
Flu Vaccine Was Disappointing Vs. Some Strains Last Season
U.S. health officials say the flu vaccine did a disappointing job last winter, and officials worry it might be a bad sign for the fall
-
Birx: We Have Time to Prepare for Possible 2nd Coronavirus Wave in the Fall
Dr. Deborah Birx says the U.S. government has time to prepare for a possible return of coronavirus this fall.
-
Flu and Coronavirus: Similar Symptoms, Different Fears
The flu, the common cold and the new coronavirus are circulating at the same time and patients and doctors are parsing who needs what tests or care
-
Dr. Fauci on Coronavirus: ‘Bottom Line, It Is Going to Get Worse'
NIAID Director Anthony Fauci fields questions from Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., about testing available for the new coronavirus in the United States.
-
Seven Additional Flu Deaths Reported in Connecticut
Seven additional flu-related deaths have been reported in Connecticut. The state Department of Public Health released the new influenza statistics on Thursday, which said the seven deaths were reported during the week of Feb. 23-29. All seven patients who died were adults, according to the health department. The flu remains widespread in Connecticut. There have been 65 flu-related deaths reported…
-
Waterbury Teacher Dies of Flu: Family
The Waterbury community is mourning the loss of a middle school teacher who family said died of the flu. Waterbury Public Schools officials confirmed Harley Gaafar died late Tuesday afternoon and said they were “devastated” by her passing. Gaafar taught ESL at West Side Middle School and was well-liked by her students, district officials said. There will be social workers…
-
Child Has Died of Flu in Connecticut: Department of Health
A young child in Connecticut has died from the flu, according to the state Department of Health. Nine people, including a child between a year old and 5 years, old, died of flu-related illnesses during the week from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, according to the state Department of Health report. This is the first pediatric flu death in Connecticut…
-
Flu Outbreak Leads to Closures at 2 Maine Schools
Two Maine schools were closed on Monday after significant numbers of students and staff contracted the flu. Edna Libby Elementary School in Standish and Sanford Christian Academy in Sanford had staff in classrooms cleaning instead of students learning. “It’s unusual, for me, it’s the first time I had to do it,” said Paul Penna, superintendent of MSAD 6, which...
-
Flu Outbreak Closes 2 Maine Schools
Two schools in Maine have closed due to outbreaks of the flu among staff and students.
-
Massachusetts Confirms 1st Flu-Related Death of a Child
Health officials confirmed the first flu-related pediatric death of the season in Massachusetts on Thursday. The state Department of Public Health said the child was a teenager who lived in Worcester County and tested positive for influenza B. “I feel immense sorrow for the family of this child. This is a tragic reminder of how serious the flu can be…
-
Worcester County Teen Dies From Flu
Health officials confirmed the first flu-related pediatric death of the season in Massachusetts on Thursday.
-
Emergency Rooms Inundated With Visits for Flu Symptoms
An influx of patients reporting flu-like symptoms is overcrowding emergency rooms in Boston and across the region, forcing doctors to issue a plea to the public. Doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital said its emergency department has been inundated with patients potentially infected with the flu, which often leads to longer wait times and sometimes forces doctors to treat...
-
US Flu Season Arrives Early, Driven by Unexpected Virus
The U.S. winter flu season is off to its earliest start in more than 15 years. An early barrage of illness in the South has begun to spread more broadly, and there’s a decent chance flu season could peak much earlier than normal, health officials say. The last flu season to rev up this early was in 2003-2004 — a…
-
Flu Bug Bites Red Sox Again: Ramirez, Betts Out of Lineup
Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts are out of the Boston lineup Friday because of a flu bug that has hit the Red Sox hard in this first week of the season.