Flu Season Not Quite Over In Pierce County: Report

TACOMA, WA — Two more deaths and 11 more hospitalizations due to influenza-like illnesses were reported in Pierce County over the past week, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, which last week noted this season as one of the worst for flu cases since 2016.

Despite the two fatalities and 11 additional hospitalizations since April 17, health department officials this week maintained flu activity is slowing across the county.

In its April 24 influenza report, the health department said 38 people have died and 654 have been hospitalized with influenza-like illnesses in Pierce County since Oct. 22, 2018.

Statewide, 187 people have reportedly died — 11 of whom passed away within the last week.

All told, flu activity across both Pierce County and Washington State was listed as "decreasing" in the April 24 report. Flu activity is also reportedly decreasing on a national level, though health officials say overall activity remains elevated.

Compared to the rest of the country, Pierce County's influenza hospitalization rate per 100,000 residents was 20 percent greater throughout the 2018-2019 influenza season, health officials said.

Click here to read the full report from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

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