North Carolina Reports First Two Flu Deaths Of The Year

CHARLOTTE -Flu numbers are on the rise as the colder weather starts to make it way to the Carolina’s.

“With flu deaths, we do typically see it around October, November and kind of ramping up from there,” said Novant Health General Practitioner Dr. Joe Lai.

Two people have already died in North Carolina due to the flu according to the department of health and human services. One person over 65 years old, another between 24 and 49.

“Generally, we see a lot of of complications in flu with older folks, but again part of the difficulty is everyone has health concerns and things like that and so a part of that is tailoring health care to what ever the individual needs are,” said Lai.

However, the flu does tend to impact two specific age groups more than others.

WCCB’s Emma Mondo also spoke with Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist with the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Flu does also tend to cause more severe illness in young children so the high risk groups are children five and under and people over 65.”

Regardless of age, those with underlying health concerns are also more likely to fall sick during colder months.

“The big things we like to think about are breathing issues, so asthma, COPD, if you’re a smoker, things like that,” said Lai, “but they can range also with heart issues and all sorts of things. ”

COVID is still circulating, but has been somewhat level according to health and human services. the same cannot be said for the flu and RSV.

“This is respiratory virus season, we don’t exactly know when each of these viruses start to increase or when it will peak, we try to track it as closely as we can,” said Moore.