Flu Activity Low In Pierce County, But Sickness Still Circulating

TACOMA, WA — In its latest influenza report, released this week, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department showed a substantial decrease in flu activity across the region, with zero new deaths reported since May 1.

In its last report from Week 16, the health department noted influenza activity in Pierce County was decreasing, while visits to primary, urgent and emergency care providers were considered low. For the Week 19 report, released May 22, that decreasing trend appears to continue, with only 11 new hospitalizations reported over the past three weeks.

Noted in conjunction with zero deaths, the latest report appears to indicate flu season may be coming to an end — at least in Pierce County.

Across the state, the Washington Health Department noted the deaths of 18 more people over the past three weeks due to influenza and influenza-like illnesses (ILI). Nevertheless, that rate is still considered statistically minimal by health officials.

Nationally, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received death notices for 109 children since Oct. 22, 2018 — an increase of 13 kids since the May 1 report.

Read the full report from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at www.tpchd.org.