Flu Patients Increase By Dozens In Past Week: Health Department

TACOMA, WA - One person died and more than 60 people were hospitalized with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in Pierce County between Feb. 20 and 25, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's latest influenza update.

Since flu season began Sept. 22, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has logged 286 local resident hospitalizations and 11 total deaths. Statewide, 46 people have reportedly died from ILI — nine in the past week alone.

Influenza activity in Washington remains elevated, health officials said. Nationally, activity appears to be increasing.

Pierce County's activity was relatively low to moderate until the first week of February, health officials said. Since Feb. 5, resident hospitalizations have increased by 156 people, and five more people have died.

The age range of those who have died is between 43 and 96 years, with all 11 patients reporting at least one pre-existing condition that increased their risk of complications and death. Health officials identified those pre-existing — or premorbid — conditions as chronic lung and/or chronic heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, primarily.

In fact, 48 percent of hospitalized patients were marked as obese; and of those 48 percent, 39 percent were marked as morbidly obese.

Of those hospitalized, the youngest patient was 2 months and the oldest was 96 years old.

Current trends reportedly indicate the likely possibility that Pierce County will continue to see elevated flu activity for several more weeks, health officials said.

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

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