SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The county's flu death toll inched closer to 70 last week, while lab-confirmed flu cases continued to decline, the county's Health and Human Services announced today.
The county received one report of a flu-related death last week, a 74-year-old North County man who had additional medical issues. County health officials did not disclose whether he had received this flu season's vaccine. The county's flu death toll now sits at 68.
The county confirmed 86 flu cases last week, down from 114 cases during the prior week. Confirmed flu cases have declined for six consecutive weeks since reaching a season-high of 692 in mid-March. County health officials have now confirmed 9,373 flu cases to date this season.
"Flu activity in the region continues to wane, but it is still elevated for this time of year,'' said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer.
While flu season appears to be wrapping up, county health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still strongly advise the annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, especially in demographics with a heightened risk of serious complications, such as pregnant women, people older than 65 and people with chronic conditions.
Flu shots are available at doctors' offices, retail pharmacies, community clinics and the county's public health centers. Residents also can call 211 or visit the county's immunization program website, sdiz.com, for a list of county locations administering free vaccines.
