COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- An El Paso County child died from the flu, bringing the total of pediatric flu deaths in the state to four, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Another new death was reported in Denver. The previous cases were reported in Denver and Jefferson County, officials said.
A total of 674 cases of the flu were reported with people hospitalized as of Jan. 12. The cases were from 36 counties.
"Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now," said Dr. Chris Urbina, executive director and chief medical officer at the CDPHE. "It’s important to remember that people who have severe influenza illness, or who are at high risk of serious influenza-related complications, should get treated with influenza antiviral medications if they get flu symptoms – regardless of whether or not they got vaccinated. People who are ill with the flu don’t need to wait for a positive laboratory test to start taking antivirals."
Adult deaths from the flu are not tracked by the health department.
The health department said flu shots are estimated to prevent 62 percent of influenza requiring a doctor visit.
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