Boston's First Flu-Related Death Of Season Confirmed By Health Officials
BOSTON (CBS) – The death of a Boston man in his sixties has been linked to influenza, city health officials announced on Friday, making it the city's first flu-related death this season.
It was not clear when the victim, who had underlying health conditions, passed away.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
A total of 158 flu cases have been reported in Boston since October.
Of those, 47 people were hospitalized.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer of the Boston Public Health Commission says the number of recorded flu cases is low compared to past years, but there has been a spike in cases noted in the past week.
Dr. Ferrer says the flu virus has hit young adults particularly hard this year.
Health officials continue to urge people who have not gotten the flu vaccine this year to do so.
According to health officials, elderly people, young children, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract the flu.