COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina has seen its first flu-related death this season.
[ [Doctors at Atrium Health already treating flu patients this season] ]
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control confirmed the death on Thursday.
Dr. Lilian Peake, DHEC's director of public health, said in the statement the death highlights the importance of getting the flu vaccine.
The Greenville News reports that the victim was from the Lowcountry region. A statement from the health department said the death was the first lab-confirmed influenza-related death of the season.
[RELATED: CDC reminds everyone who can, to get a flu shot this year]
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