SAN DIEGO–Six additional influenza deaths were reported last week, bringing this season’s total to 86, the County Health and Human Services Agency reports.
Only one of the deaths occurred last week, and all the people who died had underlying medical conditions.
The number of lab-confirmed cases continued to drop last week when 637 reports were received. That’s 135 fewer cases than the prior week.
“Influenza appears to be declining, but people should continue getting vaccinated as the flu could last until April or May,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “The vaccine is safe and effective and the best tool we have to prevent influenza.”
The County Health and Human Services Agency publishes the Influenza Watch weekly report, which tracks key flu indicators and summarizes influenza surveillance in the region.
For the week ending March 7, the report shows the following:
- Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness: 5% of all visits (compared to 5% the previous week).
- Total influenza deaths to date: 86 (compared to 46 at this time last season).
- Total lab-confirmed cases to date: 19,317 (compared to 6,675 last season).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop.
