Pennsylvania Flu Season Breaks Record With Death Toll

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As the flu season winds down, the Pennsylvania Department of Health released studies confirming just how rough this year's flu season was for the population.

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In Pennsylvania, a record-breaking 256 people died from the flu between October 2017 and May 2018.

"The flu is a disease that can leave people sick for days, but can also be serious, and even deadly for vulnerable Pennsylvanians," Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said.

Of those deaths, six were children.

There were more than 121,000 reported flu cases in the state during flu season.

January and February were the worst months for the flu, according to the study released by the state's Health Department. Compared to last season, that was about 50,000 more cases.

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The Wolf administration reminds Pennsylvania residents to be diligent and take precautions against the flu and to get vaccinated each year.