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First Flu Related Death This Year in Delaware

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - Public health officials say the first death related to the flu in the state has been reported.

The Division of Public Health said in an email on Wednesday that the patient is an 83-year-old woman from Sussex County. Officials say she died Monday and lab tests confirmed an infection with influenza A.

There have been 37 cases for the current flu season in Delaware. Last season, there were 1,842 confirmed flu cases in Delaware, with six flu-related deaths.

Public health officials are urging residents to get the flu vaccine.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.