SAN DIEGO–After two weeks of declines, the number of local lab-confirmed flu cases went back up last week, a sign that influenza activity in the region is not finished for the season, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.
A total of 708 flu cases were reported last week, compared to 542 the previous week. The percentage of visits to local emergency departments from people experiencing flu-like symptoms held steady at 3 percent, which is a significant decrease from a high of 13 percent reported in late December.
“Hopefully the increase in new cases this week was an abnormality in the decreases we’ve been seeing in the past couple of weeks,” said Wilma Wooten M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “But it’s a good reminder for people that flu season is not over and can last for a few more weeks, so people should continue taking preventive measures and get vaccinated.”
The number of flu deaths reported this season went up to 289, after seven more fatalities were reported last week.
The ages of the people who have died from flu this season range from 1 to 101. 35 (12 percent) of these deaths were of people under 65 years old, which are the only cases public health agencies are required to report in California. The County informs the public about all flu deaths.
A higher number of flu deaths is typically reported during a severe influenza season, which the county and the nation are experiencing. In San Diego County, the high number of flu deaths is also due to the County’s broad surveillance and use of reporting systems that provide fast and detailed results confirming cases.
