North Carolina health officials have recorded the deadliest week yet during the 2018-19 flu season, with 21 deaths which include a victim between the ages of 5 and 17.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reportedthat nine victims of the flu from previous weeks were also recorded, raising the death toll for the season to 98.
Of the total number of deaths, 64 were aged 65 and older.
The flu season officially began Oct. 1 and typically runs through March 31, although it has continued beyond that date in previous years.
In addition to the deaths, state health officials reported the number of flu-like cases last week was at 5,974, down from a peak of 7,585 from the week ending Feb. 9.