<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A longer-than-normal influenza season is having an impact on hospitals in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="_blank" title="New South Wales"><span>New South Wales</span></a><span>, health officials have said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In the week ending on November 16, more than 3100 cases of the flu were identified around the state, with 370 people presenting to emergency departments with flu-like symptoms.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW Health also reported that Healthdirect, an online health platform, has seen over 50,000 calls from people experiencing respiratory symptoms during this flu season.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-police-crime-satanic-child-abuse-material-ring/b8ab95c4-a1d7-44ec-ae20-753a3e619517" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Four charged over alleged involvement in international satanic paedophile ring</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was the second week in a row that cases climbed, and were similar to the amount of cases seen at the start of June, where flu season is considered to be near its peak.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is a sign the flu is remaining prevalent around the states, and experts admit this is unusual so close to summer.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When we compare this respiratory illness season to others, we are experiencing a longer tail, which is a concern," Chief Health Official Kerry Chant said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-health-news-flu-season/09c99f35-534f-4b76-8ffc-426c86b4589a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Usually by September or early October, influenza levels have tapered to quite low levels from the peak, which traditionally occurs during winter. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But we're well into November and notifications are increasing."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-dies-in-sydney-crash-between-car-and-truck/2a00e0c7-fe93-4067-9172-120f01e38997" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Man killed, two seriously injured, in crash on major Sydney road</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Whilst officials insist the state's health system is managing to deal with the surprise number of flu cases, they are urging people in the state to take precautions, especially with the busy Christmas and New Year period approaching.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>​"My worry, and the worry of our health experts, is that we're seeing an increase at a time of year where people are rightfully getting together to celebrate, but the last gift we want to be giving each other is a dose of influenza," Health Minister Ryan Park said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said there is one way residents can protect themself year-round from a bout of the flu.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"By getting the influenza vaccination and staying home when we're unwell, we can all do our bit to support health staff and protect loved ones from serious illness," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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