Sixth H1N1 death reported in Delaware

A woman from Kent County, Delaware is the sixth person in the state to die from complications stemming from H1N1.

Delaware’s Division of Public Health says a 56-year-old woman from Kent County died from H1N1 January 2.  Officials say the woman, who had several underlying health conditions was hospitalized since December 18.

“The death of this woman shows the virus can still have serious consequences, especially in people with pre-existing medical conditions,” Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH Director, said.

People with chronic underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and those who are immunosuppressed are at higher risk of complications from the H1N1 flu.

Delaware has seen 1,970 confirmed cases of H1N1 since October.  The vaccine was just made available for everyone who wants it, not just high risk individuals, as of December 31.

Since getting the vaccine in early November, DPH has administered more than 280,000 doses by hosting public clinics and offering the vaccine to children in public schools.

For more information about  H1N1 vaccinations in Delaware, and its effect on how we interact socially, watch WHYY TV’s  “First” this Friday at 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.