Number of flu deaths spike in North Carolina

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- There has been a huge spike in flu deaths in North Carolina.

Officials released new numbers Friday afternoon and they showed nine people have died of the flu in just about a week -- from December 20 - 27. That brings to the total to 17 flu deaths so far this season.

All of the new deaths involve adults over the age of 65.

The Center for Disease Control said that the virus reached epidemic proportions this week -- calling it widespread because it's in 36 states.

Fifteen children have died and, in late December, seven percent of the country's deaths were due to the flu.

It's not too late to get a flu shot.

Get more information at www.flu.nc.gov.

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