Flu cases drop in Pennsylvania for first time in 2018

Tuesday, February 20, 2018
First drop in flu cases in Pennsylvania this year
First drop in flu cases in Pennsylvania this year - Ali Gorman reports during Action News at 5pm on February 20, 2018.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WPVI) -- After 9 weeks of fast-rising numbers, flu totals in the state dropped last week.

They're back to the level they were 3 weeks ago.

Visits to emergency departments for flu-like symptoms have declined in most regions of Pennsylvania.

However, they're still up in the southeastern section.

And flu took more than 2 dozen lives last week.

135 people in Pennsylvania have died this season, including 2 children.

Although the A-type H3N2 remains the dominant strain, the number of B-strain cases continues to mount.

In some counties, like Montgomery County, they make up a third of the overall confirmed cases.