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The New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) has declared the flu virus prevalent across the state. This announcement requires unvaccinated health care workers to wear masks in certain health care settings. As of December 14, there have been over 23,000 positive flu cases reported in New York this season.
Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, "The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against infection and will lessen the symptoms if you get sick. "According to the NYS DOH, everyone aged six months and older should get their flu shot immediately.
The flu has seen a significant increase in cases, with a 75% rise outside New York City and a 72% rise within the city compared to the previous week. Hospitalizations due to influenza have also increased by 48%.
The NYS DOH mandates that health care workers in facilities regulated by the state who are unvaccinated must wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus. However, exceptions are made for those providing speech therapy or communicating with individuals who lip-read.
To combat the flu, antiviral medications like Tamiflu can be prescribed, but vaccination remains the most effective prevention method. The flu shot is widely available at pharmacies, health clinics, and physician's offices across the state. For more information, visit the NYS DOH flu website.