Flu Claims Three Snohomish County Women - One from Bothell

A Bothell woman in her 40s and two other Snohomish County residents have died from the severe flu, county health officials said this week, bringing the total deaths reported in the state this flu season to six.

The Bothell woman, an Edmonds woman in her 80s and an Everett woman in her 80s died in late December in Snohomish County hospitals. All had underlying medical conditions, the department said in a statement.

As of Jan. 2, a surveillance report from two area hospitals shows 52 people have been hospitalized with flu symptoms since Nov. 1 in Snohomish County. Last year at this time there were four hospitalizations, and the year before there were none reported.

“We may be facing the most severe flu season since 2009,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District, in a statement Monday. “I urge everyone over 6 months of age to get an annual flu shot. It’s still the best weapon we have to fight the flu strains that are circulating this year. Wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick, and cover your cough!”

In late December, the state Department of Health reported three deaths related to the flu: a Pierce County boy and two elderly residents in King County.

A Centers for Disease Control report said this week that the estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 62 percent. 

Here are some places in Redmond that offer the flu vaccine (besides your own doctor, of course):

• Bartell
• Fred Meyer
• QFC
• Rite Aid
• Target

More locations are here. Doctors from Overlake Medical Center said they are seeing more cases now than at this same time last year. They are currently offering walk-in flu vaccinations for $25 and recommend that everyone over 6 months of age receive one.

The CDC has information about the 2012-13 flu season here.