Two Confirmed Flu Deaths In Paulding County Week Of Jan. 6

DALLAS, GA — The Paulding County Coroner has confirmed there have been two flu-related deaths in the area in the past week, and residents should be sure to take steps to avoid sharing the virus.

Lindsey Eberhart Fuller said the two deaths happened within the "last day or so." One of the two patients had the flu in the days prior to their death. However, Eberhart Fuller said both had "flu-related symptoms."

The identities of the two people that died have not been released, but the coroner said one person was a 17-year-old girl and the other was a 29-year-old man.

The coroner mentioned that she has consulted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Medical Examiner’s Office and the District Health Department per proper protocol.

"I want to reiterate that all sudden deaths where the decedent has little to no medical history are reported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation," Eberhart Fuller said in a Facebook post. "And in the event of death from complications from or of an acute illness, an autopsy is most likely done."

Related: Flu Activity Jumps In GA, 15 Deaths Through End Of 2019

She went on to reiterate the best practices when and if you begin to show cold and flu symptoms.

"I encourage you to cover your mouth when you cough/sneeze, wash your hands, get your flu shot if you haven’t already, and seek medical attention if you suspect you have the flu," she said.

"If you have a confirmed case of the flu, I encourage you to stay home," she said.

She said not to go to work, school, church, restaurants, or other public places where you can spread the infection even if you are 'feeling better' or 'feel okay right now'."

The coroner reiterated that it is flu season, and though it is rare, the flu can be fatal.

"Unfortunately, this is a reality that has always been the case," Eberhart-Fuller wrote in the post.

According to the Department of Public Health's most recent flu report, there have been 15 flu-related deaths. The last flu season had 44 flu-related deaths.

Nationwide, the flu season went into overdrive with a spike in the final week of the year. In Georgia alone, six people died from the flu between Christmas and New Year's Day, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. A total of 15 deaths have been confirmed in the state this flu season through the end of December, the most recent data released by state officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported a dramatic spike in flu cases nationwide during the last week of December. Government health officials say 2019 total flu cases through Dec. 28 led to at least 6.4 million illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths.