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Fifth flu-related death reported in Allegheny County

A fifth flu-related death has been reported in Allegheny County.

In Pennsylvania, the western part of the state seems to be the hardest hit.

Channel 11 saw it firsthand at the emergency department at Allegheny General Hospital, which is filled with patients with flu-like symptoms.

The new numbers from the Allegheny County Health Department back up what we saw. Area hospitals, emergency rooms, labs and health providers report the number of patients with the flu increased sharply in the past few weeks.

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Statewide, there were 47 deaths this season and 15 of them were in the past few weeks.

“Any virus is easily spread. It's aerosolized, so as you are talking, people could cough (and) you could have aerosols on your hands, touching doorknobs, touching other people’s hands,” said Dr. Mitchell Kosanovich, an AGH emergency physician.

Outside of the flu vaccine, what's the best defense against the flu?

“The best way is to wear a mask. There are surgical mask that are available and every patient that comes into the emergency with suspected flu, which is a lot of people, we will provide a mask,” he said.

There are now more than 4,000 confirmed cases in Allegheny County.

In Westmoreland County, the number has jumped to more than 1,300.