Nine flu-related deaths reported in a week in South Carolina
Nine flu-related illnesses deaths were reported in South Carolina last week, and more than 250 people were hospitalized, state officials said.
The seasonal influenza virus is widespread across the state, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said in its weekly flu report, but overall cases appeared to drop.
Doctors and hospitals reported nine deaths associated with the flu to public health officials last week, but two of those deaths were from the week before, according to state data. So far this season, 26 people have died from the flu in the state.
The most recent state flu report covers Dec. 29 to Jan. 4.
Older people are most at risk from the flu, but last week doctors reported the deaths of two people between 18 and 49 and three people between 50 and 64. Four people over 65 were reported killed by flu-related symptoms last week.
More than 900 people have been hospitalized for the flu since the season began in late September, DHEC said, and 251 of those patients were last week.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been 2,900 deaths so far this flu season and 55,000 hospitalizations.
The CDC said flu activity is high in most states across the country.
State and federal public health officials say the best way to avoid the flu is to get vaccinated. “It’s not too late to get vaccinated. Flu vaccination is always the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications.”
There is no cure for the influenza virus and people who get sick can only treat the symptoms unless the illness passes.
You can find more information on the flu vaccine and where to get it in South Carolina on the DHEC website.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Nine flu-related deaths reported in a week in South Carolina."
