Despite a slow start to the flu season nationwide, New York is one of two states reporting significant outbreaks, the city's health officials said Thursday.

The flu has killed four people at a Queens nursing home and 13 others had to be sent to the hospital.

Outbreaks at other homes have prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to classify New York as having "regional" flu activity, just one step below "widespread," the officials said.

Delaware has been classified as having "widespread" flu activity with confirmed cases all over the state.

The slow flu season is a relief to government health authorities, given the vaccine shortage. Earlier, health workers in the city expressed serious concern about the shortage and they recommended giving priority to senior citizens and other high-riskgroups.

But some experts warned it is still too soon to tell how the season is going to progress, because flu season does not reach itspeak until January.

Source: Xinhua