Third Flu Death Reported In Connecticut

CONNECTICUT- Health officials Thursday announced that a third person has died from flu in Connecticut. Officials did not provide the person's age or county of residence.

From Dec. 1 until Dec. 7, known as the 46th week of the flu season, the Connecticut Department of Public Heathsay that 29 were hospitalized with influenza adding that flu is “widespread.”

In November, two people died from flu. In those cases, both people were age 65 or older. One was from Litchfield County and the other was from Fairfield County.

So far, during the 2019-2020 flu season, 120 have been hospitalized. The health department noted that visits to hospital emergency rooms with flu symptoms is up from this time last year.

In the 2018-2019 flu season DPH reported 3,506 persons hospitalized with influenza-associated illness in Connecticut, and a total of 88 influenza-associated deaths.

State health officials said residents need to get vaccinated.

"I advise all Connecticut residents to take the proactive step to protect their health during flu season by getting a flu shot," health commissioner Renee D. Coleman-Mitchell said. “Flu vaccines are safe and effective, and can either help prevent you from becoming infected by this serious virus, or help lessen your symptoms if you do get sick. Talk to your health care provider, pharmacist or local health department about the easiest way to get a flu shot.”

All people can be at risk of developing serious flu complications and exposing others. Flu vaccination can help reduce those risks.

• Anyone who gets the flu can pass it to someone at high risk of severe illness, including children younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine.
• People at higher risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or lung disease, and people 65 years and older.
• Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.

DPH strongly encourages all Connecticut residents over the age of 6 months to get a flu shot. For a listing of local health department clinics click here.

If the local health department in your area does not have flu vaccine, check with your health care provider or pharmacy to see if the flu vaccine is available. To find a pharmacy near you, visit the HealthMap Vaccine Finder at https://vaccinefinder.org/