New Castle woman is Delaware's second flu-related death
A 98-year-old New Castle County woman on Monday became the second state resident to die from flu during the 2016-17 season.
The woman, who was diagnosed with influenza strain A, had multiple health issues and the flu contributed to her death, according to state health officials.
The first flu fatality came a month ago when an 87-year-old New Castle County man with multiple serious underlying conditions died after contracting Influenza A.
January typically is the worst month for flu infections, partly because many people travel during the holidays and bring illnesses home with them, and partly because more people are inside and exposed to larger numbers of people in confined spaces than they would be in warmer months.
State health officials are urging Delawareans to take the necessary precautions to ensure their health throughout the winter months, and that includes being vaccinated if they have not yet been.
“You’re not going to know what’s going to happen until you’re in the season, which is why getting immunized and taking precautions like washing hands and staying home when sick is very important,” said Emily Knearl, a spokesman for the state Division of Public Health. It takes about two weeks for immunization to fully take hold.
In total, 199 lab-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported statewide this season, Knearl said. Most cases, though, are not reported to the state. Knearl said lab-confirmed cases suggest a patient underwent tests to confirm they had the flu.
Of those confirmed cases, 54 were hospitalized across the state, a number significantly higher than this time last January, when Delaware had a flu season that peaked late. Last year in January, only 16 cases had been confirmed by labs and the state had only three hospitalizations, all in New Castle County.
This year, New Castle County has had 93 cases, Kent County 70 and Sussex County 36. Also at this time last year, there were only 16 lab-confirmed cases.
“It goes to show just how much the flu varies,” Knearl said.
STORY: Delaware records first flu-related death
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A free flu vaccination event will be Wednesday at Legislative Hall Library in Dover. The event, which marks the final community flu clinic for the 2016-17 flu season, is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The nurses will inoculate babies as young as six months, and no appointment is necessary, but proper identification is required.
Vaccines can still be obtained at state health offices through June 23, 2017, at these locations:
• Hudson State Service Center, 501 Ogletown Road, Newark. For all ages, including children age 6 months and older. Call (302) 283-7587 to make an appointment Monday through Friday. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover. For all ages, including children age 6 months and older. Call (302) 857-5130 to make an appointment for Wednesdays only, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Milford State Service Center - Riverwalk, 253 N.E. Front St., Milford. For ages 9 years and older. Call (302) 424-7140 to make an appointment for Thursdays only, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Walk-ins are available Fridays only, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Anna C. Shipley State Service Center, 350 Virginia Ave., Seaford. For all ages, including children age 6 months and older. Walk-ins welcome Fridays only, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. For information, call (302) 628-6772.
Go to dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/fluclinics.html for more information on flu clinics.
For information on influenza prevention, diagnosis and treatment, call the Division of Public Health at (888) 282-8672 or go to flu.delaware.gov.
Contact Alonzo Small at (302) 324-2856 or asmall@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @P_AlonzoSmall.