4 More Flu-Related Deaths Reported In Pierce County

TACOMA, WA - Nearly 50 people were hospitalized in Pierce County due to influenza-associated illnesses since last Tuesday, Feb. 12, and four more people have died, according to the latest flu report from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

The Health Department has reportedly received 225 influenza-related hospitalization notices since the flu season began Sept. 22, 2018. Additionally, 10 people in Pierce County have died, with four of those deaths reported in just the past two weeks, Health Department official said.

The ages of influenza patients who've died reportedly ranges between 43 and 92 years, with the median age noted at 73 years old. Hospitalized patients range in age from 2 months to 94 years, with the median age noted at 58.

Across Washington, 37 people have died from influenza-related illnesses this season, an increase of six people since the Feb. 12 report, according to the state Department of Health, which further noted Washington's influenza activity as elevated.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes the current flu season as "low severity … with fewer outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza compared to recent seasons."

However, it did indicate flu activity is steadily increasing.

For more details on the latest update from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, visit tpchd.org.

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