Health officials: Third NYC child dies of the flu

NEW YORK (AP) - Health officials say a third child has died of the flu in New York City this winter.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported the fatality on Friday, and urged both parents and children to get vaccinated.

No details were immediately released about the latest pediatric flu fatality. The second child, an 8-year-old girl from Queens, died on Monday, and the first last month.

Health officials have reported more than 19,000 flu cases in New York City in the week ending on Feb. 3, up by more than 4,000 from the previous week.

Flu hospitalizations are at an eight-year high across the country.