By RICHARD CRAVER, News & Record, Greensboro, N.C. The Tribune Content Agency
The recent surge in influenza cases in the Triad and statewide has led to an increase in flu-related deaths, including two involving children between ages of 5 and 17, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported Wednesday.
As of Saturday, there have been 173 flu-related deaths since the traditional flu season began Oct. 1, including 32 last week and 140 since Jan. 11.
DHHS does not provide additional personal information about the deceased, citing its patient privacy protocols. It did say one child who died lived in the central part of the state, and the other in the eastern part.
The weekly dashboard updates are subject to revision, and may include cases and deaths that occurred weeks or months ago, but were only recently confirmed as related to the flu.
For example, DHHS reported on Feb. 6 there had been 21 flu-related deaths for the week that ended Feb. 1. That total was increased to 37 in the latest report, making it the deadliest week of the flu season to date.
The breakdown as of Saturday is 129 deaths among those ages 65 and older, along with 28 ages 50 to 64 and 14 ages 25 to 49.
Influenza is likely to reach a typical peak in the coming weeks before fading in mid-to-late March.
By comparison, during the 2023-24 respiratory virus season, 294 North Carolinians died from flu-related illnesses: 179 deaths ages 65 and older; 73 ages 50 to 64; 26 ages 25 to 49; two ages 18 to 24; nine ages 5 to 17; and five ages 4 and under.
"This is a sad reminder that seasonal influenza can be serious and, in some cases, even fatal" for all ages, state Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said in a statement.
"If you or your loved ones have not received the flu vaccine this season, please consider doing so to help protect your family and those around you."
Meanwhile, the weekly DHHS respiratory virus dashboard update on Wednesday listed 20.3% of hospital emergency room patients being diagnosed with a respiratory virus, including 12.3% with influenza, 3.2% with COVID-19 and 1.1% with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Both percentages are just below their highest levels since late 2023.
The overall respiratory virus cases and influenza cases have climbed steadily since the start of 2025.
Meanwhile, there was 3,125 hospital admissions related to a respiratory virus - including 1,656 for influenza - for the week that ended Feb. 8. That's also at its highest levels since late 2023.
Moore recommended North Carolinians taking typical preventative measures against flu and other respiratory illnesses, such as getting vaccinated, regularly washing hands, covering coughs, and staying home when sick.
Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of severe viral respiratory disease, including people 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
The Triad's three largest healthcare systems began on Jan. 14 child visitor restrictions in response to elevated respiratory virus cases in their emergency departments.
In recent years, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Cone Health and Novant Health Inc. have made joint announcement on beginning and ending of hospital visitor restrictions.
The temporary visitor restrictions affect acute care hospitals, emergency departments, rehabilitation units and facilities, behavioral health, inpatient hospice, infusion centers and certain cancer areas including bone marrow transplant clinics.
These restrictions include children ages 12 and under "should not visit the locations listed with restrictions."
Children may be permitted to visit hospitalized patients under special circumstances, such as visiting a family member who is in end-of-life care. In these instances, parents should work with the patient's care team to make arrangements.