Flu claims two more in county

The flu claimed the lives of two more people last week in Allegheny County, bringing the total deaths to five.

The county health department Monday confirmed that the two most recent residents who died of complications of the flu both had underlying medical conditions. One victim was a man in his upper-80s; the other was a woman in her upper-60s.

The county’s cumulative number of deaths as of this point last year — Jan. 20 — was also five, although the number of people with confirmed flu for the county is far ahead of last year: it is now 4,038; last year, there were 2,025 cases.

Hospitalizations in the county due to the flu as of Jan. 20 are up as well, with 340 people hospitalized this season, compared with 190 at this point last season.

Allegheny has surpassed all other counties in Pennsylvania. As of Jan. 13, the county had a

total of 2,982 confirmed cases, according to the state Department of Health, which will update its flu statistics Tuesday. Influenza type A was mostly to blame — in 2,730 of the total cases.

The two counties with the next highest flu numbers were Westmoreland, with 965 cases, and York, with 998. The state total was 17,786 cases. Also in the state as of Jan. 13: Of 32 deaths associated with the flu, 25 cases were people age 65 and older.

Health officials advise people who get the flu and are otherwise in good health to rest and drink plenty of liquids and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. They can take medications to relieve symptoms — except aspirin for children or teenagers — and contact a health care provider if symptoms become severe, such as difficulty with breathing.

People at special risk from complications are those 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and children under 2. They are advised to consult a health care provider when symptoms begin. Drugs are available that lessen the severity and duration of the illness.