21 flu deaths confirmed in Washington state so far

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Twenty one deaths have been confirmed from the flu in Washington state so far this season, including two children who died, the state Department of Health reports.

The latest update from health officials says flu activity in the state is elevated, with more than 1,800 patients reporting flu-like systems during the last week of December alone - the most recent period for which data is available.

Ten outbreaks of flu-like sickness also have been reported at long-term care facilities in the state so far in the 2019-2020 season to date.

Of the 21 people who have died in Washington state, one was less than 5 years old and another was between the ages of 5 and 17, state health officials report. Two adults between the ages of 30 and 49 also died, and the remaining 18 deaths were people aged 50 or older.

Two of the most recent cases were in Snohomish County where a Lake Stevens man in his late 80s died January 5, and a woman in a rural part of the county died on New Years Day. Both had prior medical conditions.

Snohomish County officials also reported a rise in Hepatitis A cases.

The greatest concentration of flu deaths has been in Pierce County, where five deaths have been reported. The other deaths are spread among 11 other counties, including King, Kitsap, Thurston and Whatcom counties in Western Washington.