CHARLOTTE — North Carolina health officials say there were 17 more flu-related deaths reported in the week ending Feb. 10. That brings the total for this influenza season to 165.
Earlier, South Carolina health officials said 22 more people have died from the flu in that state.
[FLU RESOURCE GUIDE: What you need to know about this flu season]
The Department of Health and Environmental Control said Wednesday that the latest report shows that 128 people have died from the flu in South Carolina since the season started in October.
DHEC said nearly 18,400 people tested positive for flu between Feb. 4 and Feb. 10. That's down a bit from the previous week.
[1st pediatric flu death reported this season in South Carolina]
[Influenza surveillance map: Where is the flu in my state?]
"Our numbers have started to not have such a steep climb, so maybe, we are seeing a plateau," said infectious disease specialist Dr. Anupama Neelakanta with Carolinas Medical Center.
The website, www.doctorsreport.com, indicated that Charlotte is one of the top 10 cities in the country for the severity of the flu.
It rated Charlotte a 9.5 on a scale from 1-10.
The Queen City has one of the highest scores along with cities like Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Miami.
"This has definitely been the most severe season in the past five years," Neelakanta said.
She said that the flu season still may not be at the peak.
Officials said nearly 100,000 people in South Carolina have tested positive for flu since October.
The flu season normally runs October through May.
A spokeswoman for the American Red Cross said blood donations have dropped in South Carolina because of sickness among potential donors.
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Cox Media Group
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