Flu Activity High, But Slowing: Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept.

TACOMA, WA - Sixty-seven more Pierce County residents were hospitalized over the past week due to influenza like-illness (ILI), and at least three deaths were reported locally in the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's April 2 influenza report. Across the state, 25 people reportedly succumbed to their illnesses.

Thirty-four deaths have been recorded in Pierce County since this flu season began in 2018, the latest report shows. Meanwhile, the number of people who've been hospitalized has increased to 604 since Oct. 22, 2018.

The median age for hospitalized patients in Pierce County is 64 years old, with patients ranging in age from nine days to 97 years old.

Statewide, the Washington Department of Health reported the deaths of 25 more people over the past week, bringing the total number of ILI-related deaths this season to 139 people.

Hospitals across the country over the past week saw a decrease in influenza activity, though health officials maintain overall ILI activity remains high.

To see the latest influenza report, click here.

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Editor's note: This report, based on information from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, previously misidentified the number of flu-related deaths over the past week. This article was updated in conjunction with an update to the April 2 influenza report.