NC flu deaths stand at 199 weeks before official end of 'sick' season

Although the number of flu-related deaths has dwindled, another three people died from flu complications last week in North Carolina.

Posted 4:18 p.m. Apr 11, 2019 — Updated 4:25 p.m. May 2, 2019

Jessica Patrick

and

Natalie Matthews, WRAL digital journalists

RALEIGH, N.C. — Although the number of flu-related deaths has dwindled, another three people died from flu complications last week in North Carolina.

Three people died between April 21 and April 27, according to the latest flu death numbers from the N.C. Division of Public Health. That brings the total number of flu deaths for the 2018-19 season to 199.

Flu season started in late September and peaks in February and March. Flu season officially ends May 18.

During the 2017-18 flu season, nearly 400 deaths in North Carolina were attributed to the flu, the highest death toll in a single flu season since state officials began publicly reporting flu deaths in 2009.

Of the 2018 flu season deaths, 290 were people who were 65 years and older, while seven of them were under the age of 18, state officials said.

Could telemedicine be a good way to diagnose flu without spreading germs?

The sniffling, sore throat, runny nose and fever hit. You're not sure if it's a cold or the flu, but you don't want to leave the house.

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You may get a test for the flu when you visit a doctor's office, but RelyMD says those tests often are not accurate.

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