‘A sad reminder.’ NC reports first flu-related death of the season, in Charlotte

North Carolina reported its first flu-related death of the season this week.

A Charlotte-area adult died of influenza complications during the second week of October, state officials said.

To protect the family’s privacy, no other information will be released about the person, officials said.

“This is a sad reminder that influenza can be a very serious illness,” State Epidemiologist Zack Moore said in a statement Wednesday.

Get vaccinated, wash your hands regularly, cover your cough and stay home and wear a mask around others if you’re sick, Moore said.

Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, are expected to increase in the weeks ahead, he said.

Everyone 6 months and older should get seasonal-flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.

RSV vaccinations are recommended for ages 75 and older; adults 60 to 74 at increased risk of severe RSV; and pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of their pregnancy, health officials said.