Flu keeps declining, but shot recommended while activity remains

Kentucky Department for Public Health graph

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Influenza cases in Kentucky continue to decline, dropping again for the sixth week in a row, according to the state's latest weekly flu report. 

"The flu is somewhat declining, but it still remains at an elevated level," Gov. Andy Beshear said at his regular weekly news conference Thursday. "Get your flu shot. It works against the strains that are out there, it's still worth getting the flu shot now." 

A flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months and older as long as flu activity continues. Flu season runs through May.

The report shows 633 new cases of the flu were confirmed in the week ended Jan. 14, down from 967 the week prior, a drop of  34.5 percent. The number of confirmed cases this flu season is 39,425. 

Kentucky's flu activity level remains "regional," meaning cases have been confirmed in at least two, but fewer than half, of the state's 16 regions.

The report says flu has killed eight children and 122 adults this flu season, with four of the adult cases due to the flu and Covid-19 coinfection. 

By far the highest number of cases is among children 10 and younger, followed by people 11-20.

Counties with the highest number of flu cases in this report were Jefferson, with 151; Jessamine, 46; Madison, 35; and Scott, 32.