No, florona (or flurona) is not a new virus.

Multiple agencies report that the first documented case of what is now known as "florona" occurred in a pregnant woman in Israel.  The woman, according to multiple reports, was a patient at Israel's Rabin Medical Center.  Indications are, however, that the woman was not vaccinated against COVID and was infected with both illnesses at the same time.

That double infection, a combination of two illnesses - the flu and coronavirus - is considered "florona."  When an individual is infected with both at the same time the illness could be intensified.  Medical experts are expecting more cases to emerge as variants of COVID become more prevalent and cases of the flu fluctuate in intensity.

Veterans Affairs Hospital Outside Of Chicago Continues Vaccinations Efforts
FILE PHOTO: HINES, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 24: Lisa McCray administers a COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine to Marine Corps veteran Brandon Buscher at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital on September 24, 2021 in Hines, Illinois. Today, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky endorsed a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people 65 years and older, those with underlying medical conditions or those who work in high-risk situations. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
loading...

Will other new "diseases" be named as a result of more combinations - i.e. can an individual get chickenpox and COVID at the same time?  Medically it is both possible and probable.  Will that be called "copox" or "poxrona?"

Cases of flu are on the rise.  The New York State Department of Health reports that flu activity is categorized as "geographically widespread" for at least the last five consecutive weeks.  The latest data available is for the week ending December 18, 2021.  That data shows an 89% increase in flu cases over the previous week.  The Central New York counties of Fulton and Chenango are among those leading the state in flu cases.

Graph Courtesy: New York State Department of Health (https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/2021-2022/archive/2021-12-18_flu_report.pdf)
Graph Courtesy: New York State Department of Health (https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/surveillance/2021-2022/archive/2021-12-18_flu_report.pdf)
loading...

On January 4, 2021, approximately 77,859 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID, according to the New York State Department of Health.  With the increase in both comes a concomitant increase in the chance of individuals experiencing a combination of both.

Where COVID Is Spreading The Most in New York

New York ER Doctor Shares Shocking COVID 'Observations'

A New York doctor breaks down how COVID affects the vaccinated, unvaccinated and boosted Empire State residents. 

New York Unveils New COVID Plan To Save Lives, Prevent Illness

New York State issued a number of new ideas in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID during the "Winter Surge."

All-Time COVID Deaths Per County in New York

LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore

The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. See how many things on this list trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?

Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)

50 Most Popular Chain Restaurants in America

YouGov investigated the most popular dining brands in the country, and Stacker compiled the list to give readers context on the findings. Read on to look through America's vast and divergent variety of restaurants—maybe you'll even find a favorite or two.

More From Lite 98.7