Flu Deaths Top 300 In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – There were 13 influenza-related deaths reported last week, bringing this flu season's total to 302 in San Diego County, according to data released Wednesday.

This has been a particularly severe flu season in the region and across the country. At this time last year, 68 deaths had been reported.

People ages 1 to 101 have died from the flu this season in the San Diego region, and almost all had underlying medical conditions, according to the county data. Health officials said 38 of the people who have died – 13 percent – were under 65 years old.

"The increased number of reported deaths is the result of the severe flu season we are having, but is also due to better surveillance methods, which allow the county to more easily identify and classify flu fatalities," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "Flu cases are still occurring throughout the region, so people should continue getting vaccinated and taking other preventive measures."

There were 620 lab-confirmed cases in the county last week, down from 722 the week before. To date, there have been 18,779 confirmed cases in the county, compared to 4,751 at this time last season, according to county data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months be vaccinated. It's not too late to get a flu shot, according to health officials.

Vaccines are available at doctors' offices and retail pharmacies. Those without insurance can go to a county public health center to get vaccinated. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 211.

ALSO SEE:

• Flu Cases Up Again In San Diego County
• Flu Cases, Deaths Decline In San Diego County
• San Diego Flu Season: Record Flu Deaths Reported In Region
• Baby Dies From Flu In San Diego County

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