Middletown Radio

DOVER, DE (Dec. 16, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced today the state’s first suspectedflu-relateddeath for the 2022-2023 influenza season.

The patient was a Kent County resident between the ages of 55 – 64 and is not reported as being vaccinated against theflu.Getting the annualfluvaccine is important for all people ages 6 months and older to prevent serious illness, hospitalization anddeaththat can result from thefluvirus.  Hospitalization anddeathfrom theflucan occur in previously healthy individuals, though persons with underlying health conditions are at significantly increased risk for serious outcomes.  

“The firstflu-relateddeathof the season reminds us just how dangerous theflucan be,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “Influenza started early this season and has been very active. Getting yourfluvaccine as soon as possible is the best way to reduce the chance forfluillness to turn into life-threateningflucomplications. Because hospitals, walk-ins, urgent cares, and physicians’ offices are already taxed with sick patient visits, we must do everything we can to prevent adding more stress to the system. Getting yourfluvaccine is a very simple way to help yourself and the overall health care system.”

According to the recently launched Influenza Dashboard on My Healthy Community (https://myhealthycommunity.dhss.delaware.gov/portals/flu/locations/state/seasons/2022-2023/overview), a total of 5,609 totalflucases have been reported to date during the 2022-2023fluseason. Thefluseason began Oct 2, 2022. For the week of Dec. 4 to Dec 10, the most recent week for which case data is available, there were 1,125 laboratory-confirmed cases of theflureported. Although there have been 276,911 fluvaccine doses administered from Oct 2 to Dec 3, it only accounts for 28.6% of the population. 

Seniors ages 65 and older have the highest vaccination rate of any age group in Delaware with 63.3% vaccinated. This population makes up 41.6% of the state’s total vaccinated population. Every other age group has a vaccination rate of under 30% with persons in the 18-34 age demographic having the lowest at 11.1%. The influenza data dashboard is updated weekly on Thursdays at the state and county level, and monthly for other geographies. Whileflucases continue to be high,fluhospitalizations remain relatively low.  As of Dec. 3, the most recently available data forfluhospitalizations, there have been 47 hospitalizations for the season to date.

DPH reminds the public it is not too late to get vaccinated against theflu. Visitflu.delaware.gov and click on the Find AFluShot Near You button on the webpage for a list of locations where you can receive yourflushot. As a reminder, it is safe to get yourflushot and COVID-19 booster the same day if you are eligible for both.  

Flu, RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses that can have varying degrees of symptoms, from no symptoms to severe symptoms. Because these viruses share many of the same signs and symptoms, it is often difficult to tell the difference between them. Common symptoms between these viruses include fever, cough, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, and several others. Testing is needed to confirm if you are sick with these viruses. If you or a family member need to get tested for theflu, DPH recommends contacting your primary health care provider.  

If you get sick withflu, influenza antiviral drugs may be a treatment option your primary health care provider recommends. Antiviral drugs work best when started early, such as one to two days after yourflusymptoms begin. When treatment is started within 1-2 days afterflusymptoms begin, influenza antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. 

Delawareans are encouraged to take the following preventive actions to reduce the spread offluand other respiratory viruses: 

• Get vaccinated. While there is currently no vaccine for RSV, there are vaccines for bothfluand COVID-19. Make sure you are up-to-date and get yourfluand COVID-19 vaccines now. You can get them both during the same visit. 
• Stay home if sick. 
• Cover coughs and sneezes. 
• Wash hands frequently. 
• Test for COVID-19 if sick, and if that’s negative, consider calling your doctor to see if you should be tested forflu. If you are diagnosed with the flu, your doctor may be able to prescribe antivirals to ease your symptoms. 

For additional information call 1-800-282-8672 or visitflu.delaware.gov. The best source of information about thefluvaccine is your primary care provider or a health care professional. 

### 

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is a nationally accredited public health agency recognized by the Public Health Accreditation Board for its outstanding dedication to driving change through innovation. DPH is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-Blind, or speech-disabled can contact DPH by first dialing 711 using specialized devices (i.e., TTY, TeleBraille, voice devices). The 711 service is free; to learn more about how it works, visit delawarerelay.com.