Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Southern Nevada Health District announced the first flu death of the season.

- By Mary Hynes Contact Mary Hynes at mhynes@ reviewjour­nal.com or 702-383-0336. Follow @Maryhynes1 on Twitter.

The first flu-related death of the season in Clark County was announced Monday by the Southern Nevada Health District.

The death was in a woman over age 65, the district said. As of Jan. 2, 10 people in Clark County had been hospitaliz­ed with the flu.

Flu activity remains low in Clark County and across the country.

Social distancing, partial lockdown and a decrease in travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic also may help curb the spread of the flu virus, health authoritie­s have said.

“As we continue to see widespread transmissi­on of the novel coronaviru­s in our community it is more important than ever for people to take steps to protect their health,” Dr. Fermin Leguen, acting chief health officer of the Southern Nevada Health District, said in a news release. “The flu vaccine is recommende­d for everyone six months and older, and it’s not too late to get vaccinated.”

Getting vaccinated against the flu will ease the burden on Las Vegas hospitals, already under considerab­le strain from COVID-19, according to health authoritie­s.

The flu can cause serious respirator­y illness and in some people can result in death. Last season in Clark County, 59 people died from the flu.

Flu shots are available at the health district’s East Las Vegas

Public Health Center and Mesquite Public Health Center by appointmen­t. More informatio­n on hours and locations is available at www. southernne­vadahealth­district.org/ community-health-center/immunizati­on-clinic/available-vaccines/ flu-vaccine-clinic/.

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