COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW) — South Carolina has reported its first pediatric flu-related death of the season.
According to the state’s Department of Public Health, a child in the Midlands Region died due to complications of the flu.
State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell explained that South Carolina has seen an increase in flu cases and hospitalizations in the past few weeks.
“It’s critical that everyone in South Carolina get their flu shots as well as updated vaccines for other respiratory illnesses, including COVID and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV,” Dr. Bell said.
For the week of January 12 to January 18, the SCDPH reported Spartanburg, Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, Oconee and Laurens counties were considered above the state baseline for influenza-like illness cases.
Hospital systems in the Upstate have added more visitor restrictions in an effort to reduce the spread of sickness, including Bon Secours St. Francis, Prisma Health and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.
Additionally, the agency said the Upstate has seen 19 flu-associated deaths during the 2024-25 flu season, more than any other region in the state.
