Three Sussex County residents die from flu

Three elderly Sussex County residents have died from the flu, making them the first for the 2018-19 season. All three had underlying health conditions, officials say.

The first to die was a 65-year-old man reported last week followed by a man, 73, and woman, 77, who died within the last week, said Jen Brestel, spokeswoman for the Division of Public Health.

Since Dec. 22, she said, there have been 461 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Delaware with 80 hospitalizations. This is up from last year at the same time when there were 225 confirmed cases and 63 hospitalized.

Brestel said single-week numbers of laboratory-confirmed flu cases have also started to increase in Delaware. A total of 179 lab-confirmed flu cases was recorded between Dec. 16 and Dec. 22, 2018, compared to 95 laboratory-confirmed cases reported between Dec. 9 and Dec. 15, 2018.

In addition to getting a flu vaccine and taking antiviral medication, DPH recommends the following:

• Practice social distancing if you have cold or flu-like symptoms.

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

• Cover sneezes and coughs with a tissue, and dispose of tissues immediately; if no tissue is available, sneeze or cough into your inner elbow.

• Stay home if you are sick until you are free of fever for 24 hours - with a temperature of less than 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours.

Social distancing means that those sick with the flu should stay home from work, school, and other gatherings and not return until they have been free of fever - with a temperature less than 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours. They should avoid close contact with well people in the household, and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other clear liquids. Over-the-counter medicines can provide symptom relief, but if you suspect you have influenza, call your doctor as he or she may decide to provide antiviral medications to help hasten recovery and prevent serious complications. This is particularly important for those who feel very sick, are pregnant or have chronic medical conditions.