Influenza has already killed at least 13 in state; earliest outbreak in years

SEATTLE — The flu is hitting the state hard and, already, 13 people have died from the flu.

Nearly half of them were in King and Snohomish counties.

So far this fall, influenza has killed four people in King County, including two young children.

On Monday, Snohomish County announced that two people had died from the flu there.

Infectious disease experts are expecting the worst, as the holidays approach.

The flu is hitting especially early this year. And that is what is setting off alarm bells in the medical community and keeping pharmacies busy.

“My sister has a friend who’s in the hospital right now,” said Lynn Rockwell, standing outside Katterman’s Pharmacy on Sand Point Way.

She says her sister’s friend and news reports about the flu have scared her.

“My sister got upset with this morning for not having my vaccine,” admitted Rockwell. “And so, I am here.”

Dr. Eric Chow is chief of Public Health — Seattle & King County’s Communicable Disease Epidemiology Division.

“What I’m seeing right now is alarming,” he said.

Chow says this is the worst influenza outbreak in at least four years.

“Since the beginning of September, we’ve seen surges in respiratory syncytial virus or RSV infections,” said Chow. “On the heels of that, we’ve seen early increased activity and influenza. And we’re always concerned about the return of COVID-19 and increased activity, especially how it impacts will communities, as well as put additional stress on our healthcare facilities.”

Just three weeks ago, King County laboratories were reporting that 13.2% of samples were coming back positive for influenza. It was up again the next week.

The last time the numbers were reported, nearly one-third of the tests were positive for the flu.

“That’s why we have to do our due diligence,” said Chow. “Get our vaccines, reduce the chance of infection as much as we can.”

“It doesn’t sound good,” said Rockwell. “I think I’ll just wear my mask and try to stay home a lot.”

According to Chow, she has the right idea. He says he knows no one wants to hear that, but you need to mask up, wash your hands and isolate whenever you feel sick.

This wave of the flu could go on for some time.

The flu usually doesn’t peak until February.

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