A child was one of nine who died from the flu last week, SC health officials say
For the first time this flu season in South Carolina, a child has died from complications due to the virus, according to health officials.
On Tuesday, the South Carolina Department of Health reported that a child in the Upstate suffered a flu-related death. Further information about the child, including their age, was not available.
“We regret having to report the death of a child,” State Epidemiologist and Department of Public Health’s director of the Health Programs Branch Dr. Linda Bell said in a news release. “We extend our condolences to the family.”
Latest numbers
The current flu season started Sept. 28, according to the S.C. Department of Health.
In the most recent update, which spanned the week of Dec. 28 to Jan. 3, flu activity in South Carolina remained at a widespread level, according to the Department of Health. It was the fourth consecutive week that the activity remained at that highest level, data shows.
“We’ve seen widespread flu activity across the state over the past several weeks, with an increase in flu cases, and hospitalizations,” Bell said.
There have been 25 flu-related deaths this season in South Carolina, according to the state Department of Public Health. Nine of those deaths occurred in the most recent week, nearly matching the total of 11 deaths in all of last season, S.C. Department of Public Health data shows.
This season, the Palmetto State has reported more than 15,500 cases of the flu, and has exceeded 2,393 hospitalizations, S.C. Department of Public Health officials said.
Of those, 3,705 flu tests came back positive in the most recent update, while 838 flu-associated hospitalizations were reported by 58 hospitals across South Carolina from the last days of December to the first few in 2026, according to the S.C. Department of Public Health.
Despite the overall rise in cases of the flu, the S.C. Department of Public Health said flu activity in the Midlands region of the state actually decreased from the previous week’s level. But the big picture shows more positive tests in South Carolina and beyond.
“Seasonal influenza activity is elevated and continues to increase across the country,” the CDC said.
Nationwide, the CDC estimates that there have been at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths from flu so far this season.
Symptoms can include a sudden onset of fever, cough, headache or muscle aches, tiredness, sore throat and nasal congestion or stuffiness, the S.C. Department of Public Health said.
Staying healthy
The Department of Public Health recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated.
“It takes about two weeks for the body to build up protection after getting the flu vaccine, so it’s important to get vaccinated soon to prevent more illnesses since flu has already spread widely in South Carolina and other states,” the Department of Public Health said.
Preventing the flu is particularly important for people who are at increased risk of complications from the virus, including young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease. However, healthy people also can have serious complications from the flu, according to the release.
Other suggestions from the Department of Health to prevent and protect against the flu, and other respiratory viruses, include frequent handwashing, covering your cough and staying home or away from others while sick to prevent a communitywide spread.
Flu vaccines offered at Department of Public Health clinics are available by appointment. To make an appointment, call 855-472-3432, or go to the Department of Public Health website to find the nearest location.
“To prevent complications and deaths, it’s critical that everyone in South Carolina get their flu shots as well as updated vaccines for respiratory illnesses, including COVID and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV,” Bell said.
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