First flu death reportedTYPE A INFLUENZA: A man in his 80s who had a history of diabetes and hypertension, and had not received the influenza vaccine, became the first fatality this flu seasonBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterThe Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) yesterday reported the nation’s first case of death from influenza this flu season and one new imported case of COVID-19. Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei reports at a news conference in Taipei yesterday the first death this flu season — a Taiwanese man in his 80s who died of serious flu complications on Saturday. It was the first flu death and the second serious flu complication this season, he added. While the number of serious flu complications and flu deaths have been significantly lower than in previous years, it does not mean that local communities are safe from circulating flu viruses, so people, especially those with underlying health conditions, should still take preventive measures against the disease, he added. Eligibility for government-funded flu vaccines has since Jan. 30 been expanded to include everyone older than six months, so people with a higher risk of serious complications from flu infection are advised to get vaccinated, he said.

Source: Taipei Times March 30, 2021 15:56 UTC