First flu-related death of the season reported in SC, health officials say

The first flu-related death of the season in South Carolina was confirmed Wednesday, according to the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control.

“Sadly, an individual from the Upstate region has died from complications due to the flu, our first confirmed influenza-associated death of the season,” State Epidemiologist and DHEC’s Director of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Dr. Linda Bell said in a news release.

Information on the person’s age or if they had any previous medical issues was not available.

There have been 79 lab-confirmed cases of the flu in South Carolina so far this season, according to DHEC.

“As we continue to respond to (the COVID-19 pandemic) the worst public health crisis in 100 years, it’s important that we all remain as healthy as possible,” Bell said. “One key step we can take is getting our flu shots.”

Contracting the flu and COVID-19 at the same time is possible and could likely cause more complications than if the flu were the sole infection, according to health officials.

DHEC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated.

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, according to the release. However, healthy people also can have serious complications from the flu, DHEC said.

The flu vaccine available this year protects against the four most common flu viruses that are expected to circulate this flu season, according to the release.

Flu vaccines are safe, effective, and do not cause the flu, DHEC said. Receiving your flu shot reduces your chances of contracting the flu, and, if contracted, lessens hospitalizations and deaths due to influenza, according to health officials.

“Another reason why it’s important to get your flu shot this year is we don’t want to overwhelm our hospitals, ICUs, and ventilators with both flu and COVID-19 patients,” said Bell.

For those who have not had either of the two, it is safe to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time, DHEC said.

Flu vaccines offered at DHEC health department clinics are available by appointment by calling 1-855-472-3432, or going to scdhec.gov/fluclinics to find the nearest location.

For other vaccine providers,visit vaccinefinder.org/find-vaccine. More information about preventing the flu is available at scdhec.gov/flu.

This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 10:58 AM.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription