• Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Header image

Times of San DiegoLogo

Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Menu

Skip to content
  • All
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Education
  • Arts
  • Military
  • Tech
  • Life
  • Opinion
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs
  • Lucky Buskers: Ocean Beach Holiday Parade Dodges Rain, Draws Thousands
  • Report: San Diego Community College Alumni Create $4 Billion Economic Impact
  • Annual 'Taste 'n' Tinis' Holiday Celebration Takes Over Hillcrest Thursday
  • Opinion: California Must Prepare for an Overwhelming Wave of Alzheimer’s Patients
  • Deputies Plan Saturday Night DUI Checkpoint in Santee

Home » Crime » This Article

Flu Deaths in San Diego County Double—Season Total Now 91

Posted by Debbie L. Sklar on January 9, 2018 in Crime | 231 Views
| Comments | Leave a Comment
Share This Article:
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail
Flu shot bandage
Flu shot bandage. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The number of reported influenza-related deaths in the San Diego region doubled last week, bringing this season’s total to 91, while the number of lab-confirmed flu cases was down, county health officials reported Tuesday.

Support Times of San Diego's growth
with a small monthly contribution

Become a supporter

Eleven percent of all emergency room visits in San Diego County last week were for treatment of flu-like symptoms., according to the county Health and Human Services Agency. There were 2,992 lab-confirmed flu cases in the region during the same time period compared to 3,354 the previous week. The season’s total now stands at 10,324 — about eight times higher than the number of cases at this time last year.

Despite the skyrocketing number of cases, health officials told the Board of Supervisors it hasn’t yet reached emergency status.

“It is very important to note that the (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the state have not declared an emergency, at present, as resources have not been exhausted,” said Dr. Nick Yphantides, the county’s chief medical officer.

Public health officials say it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

“The flu vaccine is the best public health tool we have, and an annual flu shot is recommended to everyone over 6 months,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, director of the county’s public health services. “The vaccine helps your body develop protection in two weeks and can lessen severity if one gets the flu. The vaccine is matched with all four circulating strains.”

—City News Service

Flu Deaths in San Diego County Double—Season Total Now 91 was last modified: January 10th, 2018 by Debbie L. Sklar

>> Subscribe to Times of San Diego’s free daily email newsletter! Click here

Follow Us:
Facebooktwitterrss
Posted in Crime | Tagged deaths, flu, influenza, January 2018, San Diego County, shots
Search Thousands of San Diego Jobs

Get Times of San Diego by Email

Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily.


Most Popular Today

  • How a 384-Word Story by Morgan Cook Led to Duncan Hunter's Guilty Plea How a 384-Word Story by Morgan Cook Led to Duncan Hunter’s Guilty Plea 1,260 views
  • World Sports Court Restores Vin Lananna as USATF President, Board Chairman World Sports Court Restores Vin Lananna as USATF President, Board Chairman 1,170 views
  • New SDSU Stadium Floor to be Named Bashor Field for Donor after $15M Gift New SDSU Stadium Floor to be Named Bashor Field for Donor after $15M Gift 660 views
  • Rachel Maddow Faces Slapdown by UC Linguistics Professor in Defamation Suit Rachel Maddow Faces Slapdown by UC Linguistics Professor in Defamation Suit 630 views
  • 7 San Diego Law Professors Sign Letter Calling Trump Conduct Impeachable 7 San Diego Law Professors Sign Letter Calling Trump Conduct Impeachable 580 views

©®2019 Times of San Diego LLC

Menu

  • About
  • Staff
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service