Flu killed 172 children between October and May, making this season one of the deadliest since federal health authorities began tracking pediatric deaths 14 years ago, according to an article on The Washington Post website.
The figure exceeds the 171 child deaths reported for 2012-2013, the previous record for a regular season. Only the 2009 swine flu pandemic, which killed 358 children, was worse.
Data released this week by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention give the most complete picture so far of a season that overwhelmed hospitals.
Some hospitals were forced to pitch tents outside emergency rooms. Other facilities had bed shortages that kept ambulances idling outside.
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