SC reports 1st flu death of season in Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Health officials say South Carolina has had its first death of this flu season.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control said it was notified Tuesday that someone from the Midlands died from laboratory-confirmed flu. DHEC didn’t release any other details about the person.

Flu season starts in October and typically peaks in February.

DHEC says there is still time for people to get the flu vaccine. But health officials say the sooner people get vaccinated the better because it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to build up the body’s protection against the virus.

Health officials say washing hands, covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying home when sick can also stop the spread of the flu.