Big spike in NJ flu cases (article)

Link: https://patch.com/new-jersey/hopatcong-sparta/s/jw5wx/nj-flu-cases-spike-to-very-high-levels-ahead-of-previous-2-year-trend

As of the week ending Dec. 20, New Jersey reported 11,472 influenza cases, according to the New Jersey Department of Health(NJDOH). This is a jump from the previous week of 6,940 cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified flu activity as "very high" in New Jersey, according to the most recent data from that agency.

The sheer number of New Jersey flu cases is significantly higher and has occurred earlier than in the previous two years, when typically cases spike after the holidays.

Last flu season, New Jersey didn't see a spike in cases until Feb. 1, when 14,314 cases were reported. These cases are even higher than in the 2023-24 flu season, when the highest number of flu cases, 8,365, was reported on Dec. 30, 2023.