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Posted on: November 30, 2022

Second Influenza Death of 2022 Confirmed in Snohomish County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                
November 30, 2022

CONTACT:
communications@snohd.org 

Second Influenza Death of 2022 Confirmed in Snohomish County

Snohomish Health District urges people to get vaccinated and take precautions as we face worsening flu season. 

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Another death due to influenza has been reported in the county. It’s the second flu death this calendar year and the first to be reported in the official 2022-23 flu season, which is on track to be the worst flu season since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Lynnwood woman in her 20s died last week at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.

A Bothell woman in her 70s also died earlier this fall, the first flu-related death reported in the county since 2020.

For the last two years, COVID precautions such as masking, distancing, and quarantining at home when sick have reduced the spread of diseases like the flu, as well. This fall and winter, though, respiratory illnesses are back in high numbers. 

By early November, flu-related hospitalizations already were quadruple what they’d been during the same time period in the last two years. 

“We know from our data, our conversations with healthcare partners, and what we’re seeing in the community that this is a challenging season,” said Dr. James Lewis, Health Officer for the Snohomish Health District. “The flu can be a very serious illness for people of all ages, as can COVID-19. We have vaccines to help protect us, and I again urge everyone 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine as well as their COVID vaccines, and for those who are eligible to also get their bivalent COVID booster. I also encourage people to consider masking in indoor crowded places at this time given the current high circulation of respiratory viruses.”

Appointments for flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are available at most clinics and pharmacies. It is safe to get a flu shot and COVID booster at the same appointment. People should talk to their healthcare provider about specific vaccination questions. 

More information about flu vaccination, as well as influenza surveillance reports during flu season, can be found at www.snohd.org/flu. For information on COVID vaccination, please visit www.snohd.org/covidvaccine

Other reminders to reduce the spread of illness:

  • Stay home from work, school, or other activities if you have symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, sneezing, headache, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, difficulty breathing, or fever. 
    • Do not return to normal activities until your fever is gone at least 24 hours without the use of medicine and other symptoms are gone or getting better. 
    • If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home until at least five days after the positive test or start of symptoms and wear a mask for at least 5 more days after coming out of isolation.
  • Wash hands often and well. Use soap and running water, and scrub for at least 20 seconds.
  • Consider wearing a mask when in shared public spaces. Even if you are choosing not to mask, please respect and support others who choose to do so.

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