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Weekly flu cases reach seasonal high in San Diego

555 cases mark new weekly high this season
Posted at 1:10 PM, Feb 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-16 16:10:01-05

SAN DIEGO - Weekly reported flu cases in San Diego County have reached a new high for the season.

County health officials said a total of 555 cases of influenza were reported last week, Feb. 5 - 11, surpassing the last highest total of 474 cases during the week of Jan. 1 - 7.

Five flu-related deaths were also reported last week, bringing this season's total to 44 deaths. During the same time span last year, the county reported only 12 flu deaths.

Those who have died from the flu this season have ranged in age from 31 to 98 years old.

“Influenza continues to be widespread in the region,” Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., San Diego County public health officer, said. “Vaccination is the best protection against the flu.”

Last week, six percent of all emergency department visits in the county were for flu-related illnesses, an increase from 5 percent the previous week. Total lab confirmed cases of influenza have reached 3,335 to date, compared to only 1,939 during the same time last season.
 
County health officials are reminding residents to take precautions to minimize their risk of getting sick. People should wash their hands often, use hand sanitizer, stay away from others who are sick, and if they are sick to stay home.
 
Those who are most at risk of getting sick are those over the age of 65, or are pregnant, or have a chronic medical condition.

Mark Saunders is a KGTV digital producer. Follow him on Twitter at @10NewsSaunders.

Copyright 2017 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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