Gov. Asa Hutchinson joined state health officials to talk about the flu outbreak this year.

What I’m hearing:

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* Arkansas may be near peaking and the hope is for a decline in new cases soon.

* It’s not too late to get a flu shot, particularly those in higher-risk groups.

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* This in high-risk groups should seek treatment quickly if symptoms appear.

* Wash your hands.

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* Don’t go back to work or school before going 24 hours without symptoms.

* Nobody can say for sure why it’s worse this year.

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* Flu-related deaths in Arkansas are already the second-highest in 17 years and likely will exceed the previous high before the season is over.. Death toll currently put at 94.

The governor noted high school absentee rates, as high as 13 percent in Scott County.

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