Flu kills three more in Snohomish County
Jan 7, 2013, 3:03 PM | Updated: 3:30 pm
Officials say the flu has killed three people in Snohomish County, raising the death toll statewide to six. (AP image)
(AP image)
The death toll from this season’s influenza outbreak has climbed to six in our state after the Snohomish Health District reported three people died last month in Snohomish County.
Officials say a Bothell woman in her 40’s, an Everett woman in her 80’s, and an Edmonds woman in her 80’s all died in late December in Snohomish County hospitals. All had other underlying medical conditions.
“It’s proving to be a much more severe season than in previous years,” says Doctor Gary Goldbaum, Director of the Snohomish Health District.
The deaths follow three others reported by the Washington State Department of health in December in King and Pierce counties. Goldbaum says it’s likely there have been more.
“We don’t learn about them for several days or even weeks after a death. Sometimes it’s only because it’s been reported as a secondary condition that gets reported on a death certificate.”
In addition to the deaths, the Health District reports 52 people have been hospitalized in two area hospitals with flu symptoms since Nov. 1 in the county. Last year at this time there were just four reported.
Goldbaum says the best defense is still a flu vaccine for everyone over six months of age, along with some common sense.
“Wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick, and cover your cough,” he says.
