NC reports 8 more deaths from influenza

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Health officials in North Carolina health reported eight flu-related deaths last week.

The Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release Thursday that the eight deaths were the largest weekly total of this year’s flu season.

Twenty-six people have died since the flu season started Oct. 1.

The season ended Friday, but agency spokeswoman Alexandra Lefebvre has said it is likely that flu activity will continue for several more weeks.

At this time last year, North Carolina had recorded 210 flu-related deaths.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)