Two people die of flu-related illnesses in one week as virus spreads in South Carolina
Two people in Upstate South Carolina died from flu-related illnesses in the week before Thanksgiving, state health officials said.
It’s the second consecutive week of “widespread activity” for the virus with increases in both the Upstate and Midlands, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s weekly flu report.
At least 26 people were hospitalized between Nov. 17 and Nov. 23, officials said, and a total of three people — all from the Upstate — have died since flu season kicked off in early October.
The state health department recorded the first flu-related death on Halloween, The State reported.
Two of the deaths were people over the age of 65 and one was between 50 and 64 years old, according to the report.
Health officials have not released any additional information about them.
Data shows a total of 289 people died from flu-related illnesses in South Carolina in the 2017-18 season, which officials described as “a severe season with widespread activity lasting for 11 consecutive weeks.”
After 15 consecutive weeks of “widespread activity” during the 2018-19 season, state officials reported a total of 80 flu-related deaths in the state. Activity subsequently dropped off, but that number climbed to 97 by early June.
Officials predicted the United States could see a particularly bad flu season this year, McClatchy news group reported.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to prevent the virus is to get vaccinated.
