LINCOLN, Neb. (KGFW) – Nebraska recorded a noticeable drop in positive influenza cases in week 14, according to weekly tracking numbers reported by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – suggesting social distancing may have had impact on the flu as it continues its seasonal decline.
Of 1,270 influenza tests, only 35 (2.76%) came back positive. There were 132 flu related hospitalizations reported in the week ending April 4, 2020.
There have been at least 42 flu related deaths in Nebraska this season. KGFW had earlier reported that this figure was the single week count for the week ending March 21, 2020 – it is the cumulative death count beginning 9/29/2019.
Since seasonal tracking began, 19,100 Nebraskans have tested positive for the flu. H1N1, the primary Influenza A strain accounts for 54.73% (10,453) of the cases. H1N1 was the culprit behind the 2009 pandemic. The total seasonal positive test rate has been 25.45%. More than 75,000 tests have been performed.
