Local

15 more flu deaths reported last week in Carolinas

RALEIGH, N.C. — (AP) Flu deaths continue a steady rise in both North and South Carolina.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control reported five additional flu deaths in South Carolina last week, bringing the season's death toll in the state to 54 people.

(Click here to learn about seasonal flu vaccinations)

Two of the people who died last week were age 65 or over. No ages were listed for the other three deaths. This year's flu has hit adults the hardest. Only two of the reported flu deaths have been children.

More than 1,400 people have been hospitalized with the flu in South Carolina since the flu season started in September. About 30,000 cases have been reported across the state.

Health officials in North Carolina say 10 more people died from the flu last week, bringing the death toll for the flu season up to 56 in the state.

The Department of Health and Human Services says nine of last week's victims were adults. Only three of those who have died from the flu since the season started in October have been children.

While 21 deaths have been reported in North Carolina in the past two weeks, doctors say the rate of new flu cases in the state is slowly dropping.

Public health officials continue to urge those who have not been vaccinated yet to do so.