The Jefferson County Health Department reported three more flu-related deaths and four more COVID-related deaths since its last report, which covered the week of Feb. 16-Feb. 22.
Since the start of the respiratory season on Sept. 29, the Health Department has reported a total of 13 flu-related deaths and 18 COVID-related deaths.
Flu cases have been declining since the week of Feb. 16, according to the Week 12 respiratory report, which was released on March 26. The Week 11 report was released on March 25.
According to the Health Department, the county saw 393 flu cases the week of Feb. 16; 278 the week of Feb. 23; 228 the week of March 2; 183 the week of March 9 and 74 the week of March 16, the new report said.
Since the respiratory season began, there have been 3,952 flu cases reported to the department, with nearly 95 percent being type A. The season peaked at 733 cases the week of Feb. 2.
The Health Department reported 2,988 COVID cases so far this respiratory season, which ends May 17. Cases have been in double digits since the week of Feb. 9, with 34 reported the week of March 16. COVID cases peaked the week of Dec. 22, with 233 cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine. Health officials also recommend people get the COVID vaccine.
The Health Department last released a respiratory report on Feb. 27 and didn’t release any others until Tuesday because the epidemiologist was out of the office for two weeks, said Brianne Zwiener.
