New York State saw a 50 percent increase in lab-confirmed flu cases and a 21 percent increase in hospitalizations in the past week, as this year's flu spreads all over the country. That's 11,683 new flu cases last week in New York, with 2,221 hospitalized. Those numbers are the highest weekly numbers in both categories since reporting began in 2004, and exceed last week's record high 7,779 confirmed cases and 1,759 hospitalizations. Last week, the Governor signed an Executive Order allowing pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to children ages 2 to 18, increasing vaccine accessibility for New York children and families as influenza continues to spread across New York. Vaccine locations can be found at the website www.vaccinefinder.org. Besides a flu shot, health professionals recommend everyone wash their hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.