Flu-related deaths in NC continue to climb, with 11 more reported in the state
Fears about coronavirus have increased in North Carolina, but the flu remains a serious issue.
Eleven more flu-related deaths were reported in the state last week, health officials said Thursday.
The deaths were reported during the week of Feb. 22-29 and brought the state total to 127 deaths this season, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
No children died from the flu last week, the department said. There have been four pediatric flu-related deaths reported in the state since flu season started in late September.
Most of the deaths reported this season have been among those age 65 and older, according to the department.
Last week, 877 positive cases of the flu were reported in the state, while there have been more than 10,200 confirmed cases throughout the season.
Last season, the state had 203 flu-related deaths and more than 9,400 positive cases.
The “widespread” flu activity in North Carolina comes as officials are handling the state’s first coronavirus case.
A Wake County man tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting a Washington state nursing home that experienced an outbreak of the virus, health officials announced Tuesday.
It’s considered an “isolated case,” but efforts are underway in the state to prevent others from being infected.
Nationwide, at least 100 people have been infected with the coronavirus and 11 people have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The flu and the coronavirus have similar symptoms and are spread in similar ways, McClatchy News has reported.
While health officials are familiar with the flu and how to handle it, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding coronavirus.
