Flu deaths spike in SC, latest health report shows. This part of the state is being hit hardest
South Carolina has had a spike in flu-related deaths in recent weeks as reports of new cases continue to rise, the latest state health report shows.
There were 15 influenza-associated deaths reported the week of Jan. 19-25, the latest data available as of this week, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The report notes that six of those deaths happened in previous weeks.
There have been 45 flu-related deaths in South Carolina so far this season. Just three weeks prior, the state had only eight reported flu-related deaths.
Below is a breakdown of where the deaths have occurred in the state by region.
- Upstate: 22
- Midlands: 9
- Pee Dee: 8
- Low Country: 6
SC flu cases
There were 8,806 lab-confirmed tests the week of Jan. 19-25, continuing the trend of rising flu cases in the state in recent weeks, the report shows. For instance, there were 5,711 lab-confirmed tests the prior week and 3,230 lab-confirmed tests two weeks earlier.
There have been 29,947 lab-confirmed tests reported so far this season.
The state also had 843 flu-associated hospitalizations reported by 65 hospitals the week of Jan. 19-25. That’s up from 606 hospitalizations the prior week and 445 hospitalizations two weeks earlier.
The data shows that statewide, 26.3% of patient visits to healthcare providers were for flu-like illness, higher than the state’s 3.2% baseline — the flu-like activity level overall was high, DPH says.
Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ongoing influenza surveillance report shows that South Carolina shares the highest rate of flu activity in the U.S. with just one other state — New York.
SC counties with the most flu
Flu activity is currently considered widespread geographically, according to DPH. Below is a list of South Carolina counties that reported patient visits for the flu that were above the state baseline for the week.
- Oconee
- Anderson
- Pickens
- Greenville
- Spartanburg
- Laurens
- York
- Newberry
- Lexington
- Richland
- Kershaw
- Chesterfield
- Sumter
- Darlington
- Florence
- Dillon
- Horry
- Jasper
- Beaufort
- Colleton
- Charleston
SC hospital visit restrictions
Prisma Health has banned children from visiting patients at its South Carolina hospitals since Jan. 15 because of the high flu rates.
The nonprofit healthcare company, which has multiple hospitals in the Palmetto State, currently prevents all children 16 years old and under from entering its facilities for patient visits for the foreseeable future, a press release states. However, exceptions may be made by the attending physician and local leadership, Prisma Health states.
“By taking this proactive best-practice step, we can ensure our hospitals remain safe places for our patients to receive high-quality care,” Jacie Volkman, executive director of Prisma’s Department of Infection Prevention, said in the press release.
Hospital officials have also asked that residents not visit patients if they have a fever, have tested positive for any respiratory illness, or are suspected of having one. It’s recommended that all visitors wear masks to reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses.
This story was originally published February 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
