North Carolina Records First Flu Death Of The Season: Health Authorities

North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2021-2022 season amid a rise in cases.

The first flu-related death was recorded in an adult from the western part of the state, officials from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) noted in a news release Tuesday. The patient tested positive for influenza and negative for COVID-19. The person died from flu complications in the second week of December.

The agency did not disclose the patient's age, gender and hometown to protect the family's privacy. State Epidemiologist Zack Moore said the case is a "sad reminder" that influenza can actually be a serious illness that can even lead to death.

The people most at risk of serious flu complications are older people, children and people with certain health conditions or those who are immunocompromised, the agency explained. While the number of cases during the 2020-2021 season was "historically low," the previous five seasons saw an average of 186-391 deaths. Furthermore, the state is seeing "more influenza activity than at any time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020," NCDHHS noted.

"The first and most important step in protecting you and your family from the flu virus is to get a flu vaccine each year, and it is more important than ever with this flu season coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic," the agency added.

Vaccination is recommended every year for anyone who is six years and older. It is said to be the "best way" to prevent infection and to make the symptoms milder.

"Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the midst of the flu season, creating even more demand of our state's hospital beds," said Kody H. Kinsley, NCDHHS chief deputy secretary for health. "It is important to get a COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot as soon as possible, and get your booster when you become eligible, to protect yourself and your family and to preserve hospital bed capacity for emergencies."

People can protect themselves from the flu and other viruses by wearing a face covering over the nose and mouth, keeping a six-foot distance from others and by frequently washing their hands. It's also important to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue when one sneezes or coughs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends avoiding having contact with someone who is sick. Those who are sick should avoid contact with other people to protect them from getting sick. For instance, it's best to go home "as soon as possible" if one begins to feel sick at work.

It is also important to avoid touching the eyes, mouth and nose, and to disinfect high-touch surfaces when someone is sick. Maintaining good health habits such as getting enough sleep, being physically active, eating nutritious food and managing stress are also important to protect oneself from the flu.