6 Dead, 59 Hospitalized Due To Influenza In Pierce County

TACOMA, WA - Over the past eight days, six people have died and nearly 60 more people have been hospitalized with influenza in Pierce County, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's March 5 influenza update.

Yet despite the latest numbers this season's local hospitalizations and deaths "remain modest" relative to the past two influenza seasons, and the recent uptick in both categories corresponds with national trends, Health Department officials said.

Since the 2018-2019 influenza season began Sept. 22, 2018, there have been 345 reported hospitalizations and 17 deaths related to flu-like illnesses in Pierce County.

Hospitalized patients range in age from 2 months to 96 years old, with the median age for patients currently landing at 62 years old.

The age range for the 17 patients who've died is between 40 to 96 years, with the median age landing on 73 years.

Health officials continue to report obesity, diabetes, and both chronic lung and heart disease at the most common pre-existing conditions among hospitalized patients, with 47 percent of hospitalized adults classified as obese.

Across Washington, the State Department of Health reported an additional 13 people died between the release of the Feb. 25 and March 5 influenza reports.

Washington's influenza activity remains elevated and widespread, officials said, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified the state's influenza-like illness (ILI) activity as "low."

For more information, including charts from T-PCHD's latest report, visit tpchd.org.

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