RALEIGH — North Carolina health officials reported Wednesday the state’s first death of the flu season.
An adult who lives in the western part of the state died due to complications from the virus. Health officials did not release any other information to protect the family’s privacy.
The state is experiencing an increase in illnesses caused by respiratory viruses other than COVID-19, including influenza and respiratory virus, that is greater than at any time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.
In the Carolinas, cases have risen. At last check, they were 478 new cases of the flu in North Carolina. In South Carolina, they are 1,827 new cases.
Three people have died in South Carolina from the flu this season.
Health providers experience high demand for flu vaccines
Health providers in the area say they are running low on certain flu vaccines.
Workers at Moose Pharmacy in Monroe said they have seen more people this week who want to get the flu vaccine.
Health experts said that this year’s flu season could be rough.
Owner Ashley Moose said that she has seen more pediatric flu cases earlier this year.
“I think everybody is getting concerned,” Moose said. “If it’s affecting our pediatric population, especially when they are in community settings, school setting and sports, then it’s really easy to transmit.”
Moose said that she thinks that’s part of the reason that more customers are getting flu shots.
“It’s picked up considerably this week,” Moos said.
Some local providers are running low on the higher dosage for older adults as the demand for vaccines increase, Moose said.
“We are seeing some limited supply in the community, but it is still readily available,” Moose said. “So I would call around to find it.
VIDEO: First flu-related death reported in South Carolina, officials say
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