Flu season’s end in sight, but hospital visits continue at ‘elevated’ levels, state health officials say​

While the number of flu-related deaths declined across California last week, state health officials on Friday could only repeat the same message that has defined what they’ve called the worst season in almost 10 years: Influenza is continuing to spread at elevated levels.

There were 22 people who died of flu-related illnesses across the state last week, bringing the total number of deaths to 185 in California among those age 64 and younger. While still high compared to an average flu season, the number of fatalities reported this week was a decrease compared to the week before, when 36 people were reported to have died, making it the deadliest week in the season so far.

The California Public Health Department doesn’t count flu-related deaths among those 65 and older because under a state mandate they are not required to do. State health officials have said flu-related deaths in those 64 and younger is used as an indicator of the severity of the season’s strain.

Most of those deaths reported by the state — or 61 of them — are being reported in the southern part of the state, including Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties.

In Orange County, there were almost 6,000 people who tested positive for the flu, and 12 deaths reported so far this season. Last year, there were 1,921 cases and 2 deaths, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.

“Several more weeks of flu activity are expected,” according to state health officials, and many counties are noting that.

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In Los Angeles County, health officials noted there have been 158 flu-related deaths among all ages, though those figures don’t include the cities of Long Beach and Pasadena, since each have a health department. Of the 158 deaths, one was a child. Last year, 53 adults died and there were no pediatric, flu-related fatalities.

SOURCE :- ocregister