California Reports 32 Flu Deaths In Just One Week

CALIFORNIA -- The number of Californians under the age of 65 who have died from the flu jumped significantly Friday. In just one week, the state reported 32 flu deaths for a total number of 74 deaths this season.

The state does not record flu deaths among people over the age of 65.

The level of flu activity rose dramatically this year with health officials saying this flu season will be the worst the state has seen in 10 years.

Nationwide, the number of flu cases have also increased.

The latest CDC report said there were 14,401 new laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu during the week that ended Jan. 13, bringing the season total to 74,562. Patient traffic was up in 32 states, making Jan. 7-13 one of the busiest weeks for flu symptoms in nine years. At least 30 children have died, a third of them during the week ending Jan. 13.

Some national experts predict this could be one of the worst flu seasons ever. Some states such as Arizona have already experienced a 758 percent increase in flu infections over this time last year, and the Centers for Disease Control reports the flu is also widespread in 46 states, including California, CNBC reported.

State health officials urged the public to get the flu vaccine if they have not yet done so. They also urged people to wash their hands often, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home when sick.

--Patch reporters Paige Austin and Feroze Dhanoa contributed to this report/Photo via Shutterstock

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