B strain of the flu hit Whatcom County early. Here’s what to expect now
A third Whatcom County resident has died from flu-like illness, according to a weekly flu report.
The report, which covered the week ending Jan. 18, showed a bump in the number of flu cases, with the B strain still dominating.
There were 45 positive flu B tests and 10 positive flu A tests, according to the report compiled by the Whatcom County Health Department. Ten people were hospitalized with flu-like illness during the week.
That’s compared to 38 positive flu B tests and seven positive flu A tests the previous week, with three people hospitalized.
Despite the slight increase for the week ending Jan. 18, the number of people sickened by the flu this season continues to trend down overall.
Whatcom County and Washington state has been hit by an early flu season marked by a spike in illnesses caused by the B strain of the flu.
County public health officials said last week that they didn’t know if the flu season has peaked, adding there were indicators that a wave of new illnesses caused by the A strain might be on the way.
They encouraged people to get their flu shot if they haven’t already.
Learn more online at KnockOutFlu.org.
This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
