MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has elevated Wisconsin to a high flu category after a dramatic increase of cases at the state’s Children’s Hospital.
Wisconsin had been in the low flu category but the CDC made the change Thursday.
Children’s Wisconsin Hospital said 829 pediatric flu cases were reported in December, which is an increase of nearly 9,000% from December 2018. WISN-TV reports the hospital had nine flu cases and four hospitalizations in December last year.
This December, 46 of 829 flu cases have required hospitalizations.
Statewide flu numbers are expected to be released Friday.
“It’s been quite busy in the emergency department,” Aurora West Allis Medical Center Dr. Michael Becker said.
