San Diego Reported Season’s First Flu Death

SAM DIEGO, CA – In the midst of alerts for the presence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the city of San Diego reported the first death from influenza during the season, according to the county’s Health and Human Services Agency.

According to health officials, the victim was a 42-year-old man from the north-central region of the county who died on December 9. He reportedly had additional medical problems and had not been vaccinated against the flu.

The victim also reportedly tested negative for Covid-19. In the past week, HHS has reported a total of 192 confirmed cases of influenza as of Dec. 25, a slight uptick from cases reported a week before the holiday season, when 188 infections were reported.

“Vaccination is the best defense we have against influenza. Influenza season usually peaks between December and February, and the first flu death of this season reminds San Diegans who have not been vaccinated to do so now to protect themselves,” said Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director of public health for the County.

According to the latest HHS report, emergency department visits for flu-like illness accounted for 5% of all visits.

Laboratory-confirmed flu cases for the week totaled 192; while the total number of confirmed infections to date is 1,052, compared to 54 at the same time last season.

Source: MEXICO-NOW Staff