North Carolina reports first flu-related death in 2020-2021 season

RALEIGH, N.C. — Health officials on Thursday reported the first flu-related death of the 2020-2021 flu season in North Carolina.

The person was over 65 years old and died the first week in October, officials said.

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“This is a sad reminder that flu can be a serious illness and can lead to complications and even death in some cases,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. “With flu season starting during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever for people to get a flu vaccine this year.”

During the 2019-2020 flu season, 186 flu deaths were reported in the state, which is down from the 208 deaths during the 2018-2019 season. Of the 186 deaths, 105 were people 65 and older and five people were under the age of 18.