RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — State health data indicates that the worst of the flu season could behind us. That, unfortunately, does not mean fewer cases of COVID-19 just yet.
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, N.C. has seen an overall downturn in flu-related deaths as well as a fall in hospital admissions for flu cases.
NC FLU NUMBERS SEE IMPROVEMENTS
Hospital admissions across the state for patients with the flu have seen a downward trend since a peak of 1,055 during the final week of 2023. For the most recent data week of Feb. 11-17, the NCDHHS reports flu admissions totaled 177.
This is a slight increase from the prior week’s reporting of 173, but is a significant improvement from the first weeks of 2024 in which there were more than 500 flu hospitalizations.
Flu deaths in the state have returned to lows not seen since November 2023. In the past week, four new flu deaths were reported in the state, all in adult patients. The running total of flu deaths for the season statewide sits now at 256, which is broken down into the following age groups:
| Age Group | # of flu deaths |
|---|---|
| 0-4 | 4 |
| 5-17 | 6 |
| 18-24 | 2 |
| 25-49 | 21 |
| 50-64 | 64 |
| 65+ | 159 |
NC COVID NUMBERS ON ANOTHER RISE
When it comes to COVID-19, hospital admissions tapered off after the start of the year, but have since plateaued and come back up, showing slight increases the past two consecutive weeks.
The uptick seen in COVID hospital admissions is consistent with the state’s findings when it comes to COVID particles detected in wastewater. During the past four weeks, those numbers averaged at 67.4 million virus particles per person. In this most recent week, the NCDHHS reports finding 80.7 million particles.
For a more detailed look at respiratory virus data across the state, visit the NCDHHS website.
Ashley Anderson
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