Matthew Hamilton and Claire Hughes are reporting in the Times Union State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker Wed., Dec. 28, declared the flu widespread in New York. The declaration triggers a requirement for unvaccinated health workers to wear surgical masks iwhen they are likely to encounter patients. There have been laboratory-confirmed cases in 39 counties, including in the Capital Region, and the boroughs of New York City. The highest rate of flu have been reported downstate. So far, 658 flu-related hospitalizations have been reported. There have been no child deaths from flu. State health officials state residents who have not yet been vaccinated against the flu yet this season to do so. Read the full story in the Times Union.