Allegheny County flu death toll reaches 5, Health Department confirms

Two more Allegheny County residents have died from flu complications, bringing this flu season’s county death toll to five, according to the county’s Health Department.

The latest deaths were people in their 30s who had underlying medical conditions, according to the Allegheny County Health Department.

All of those who have died from flu complications had underlying medical conditions, according to department spokesman Ryan Scarpino.

“While there has been a sharp decline in reported flu cases each week over the past month, it’s important that residents continue to protect themselves against the flu,” the Health Department said in a Facebook post. “The best way to fight the flu is to get your flu shot. It’s never too late to get a flu shot and we urge residents to get their flu vaccination as soon as possible if they haven’t already done so.”

There have been 33 flu deaths statewide this flu season to-date, according to the state Department of Health. There have been nearly 50,000 laboratory-confirmed flu cases.

The death of the first Allegheny County resident, a person over 90, was announced on Jan. 8. Two more — one in their 70s and another in their 40s — were announced on Jan. 15.

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, the Health Department recommends that residents take precautions during flu season to help stop the spread of germs including washing their hands, not coughing or sneezing into their hands — cough or sneeze into the shoulder or elbow instead, and stay at home if they have flu symptoms including fever, muscle aches, cough, sore throat and fatigue.