SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – A record number of people have died from the flu in San Diego County this season.

According to the County Health and Human Services Agency, 142 flu-related deaths have been reported through Jan. 13, which is the highest since the county began tracking deaths two decades ago. The previous record for flu deaths was 97 during the 2014-15 flu season, health officials said. Although the number of flu deaths reported in the region has reached a new high, the number of lab-confirmed cases are on the decline, health officials said. The number of lab-confirmed cases dropped for the second straight week, from 3,046 to 2,070.

"Unfortunately, after a high number of flu cases is reported, deaths typically follow," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "We continue to monitor flu activity in the region to see if cases and emergency room activity will continue to drop and determine whether the season has peaked."

Wooten said the record number of deaths could be due to the use of electronic reporting, which makes it easier for medical professionals to report and identify flu-related deaths.



Public health officials said it is not too late to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. The vaccine is safe and effective. It takes two weeks for immunity to develop, health officials said.



Vaccinations are particularly important for people with chronic medical conditions, as well as those who are elderly, pregnant, or care for or live with others at high risk.

In addition to getting vaccinated, health officials said people should wash their hands, use hand sanitizers, avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, clean commonly touched surfaces, and stay away from sick people.