May 22, 2013
The number of people who have died so far this flu season in North Carolina has risen to 33.
The State Health Department on Thursday released new data that showed two new flu deaths for the week ending January 19th.
The number of flu cases in the state continues to drop this past week, after hitting a peak right after Christmas.
More than 75% of those who have died from the flu so far in the state have been 65 years of age or older.
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State health experts say North Carolina experienced its deadliest week so far this flu season with nine deaths.
That brings to 31 the number of people who have died in the state because of the flu.
Twenty-three of those victims were 65 or older, five were between 50 and 64, two were 25 to 49 years old and one was in the 18 to 24 age category.
Data from the state Health Department shows the number of flu cases actually peaked two weeks ago and has been on the decline ever since.
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North Carolina health officials now say 17 people have died in the state this season because of the flu.
New figures out Thursday show three new deaths in the past three weeks. Thirteen of the deaths have been with people 65 or older, 2 in people 50 to 64 years old and 2 where people were between 25 and 49 years old.
Public health officials in North Carolina says this is the worst flu season in 10 years.
Data from the state shows flu cases rising in the past week, after dropping during the Christmas school break.
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One county health department here in Eastern Carolina has received more flu vaccine after running out earlier this week.
Public health officials in North Carolina says this is the worst flu season in 10 years and the demand for the vaccine temporarily depleted the supply for the Pitt County Health Department.
A state Health Department spokesman says more vaccine arrived in Raleigh today and it's headed to Greenville. Mark Van Sciver says if a county makes a request for more vaccine it is usually shipped that week. He says with last week being a holiday week that likely delayed the shipment.
Van Sciver says it is only a short term lapse in the supply and there are other places where you can get your flu shot other than at the Health Department.
The Health Department says it received 100 doses at lunch.
So far there have been 14 deaths in North Carolina related to the flu this season. Eleven of those were 65 years of age or older.
