MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The South Dakota Department of Health says 14 people have died from influenza in the state so far this season, including four new deaths reported in the past week.
The department said flu activity in South Dakota is considered moderate and the geographic spread is widespread.
Minnehaha County has recorded the most flu deaths with six. Lincoln and Hughes counties have reported two deaths each, and Brown, Fall River, Marshall and Meade counties have reported one death apiece, according to the Health Department’s latest update.
Davison County was not among the counties listed with a flu-related death in the latest breakdown.
The Health Department also reported 45 new flu-related hospitalizations in the past week.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends core prevention steps such as vaccination, hand hygiene and staying home when sick to help limit the spread of respiratory viruses.