Four more flu related deaths reported in El Paso

The Department of Public Health received four more reports of flu related deaths in the El Paso area.

The recent deaths bring the total of flu-related deaths to seven in the area this season.

Among the four deaths, were two men in their 80’s, a woman in her 70’s and a woman in her 80’s. All four had underlying medical conditions, according to the Department of Public Health.

“The loss of life to the influenza virus is devastating to say the least,” Public Health Director Robert Resendes said. “The list, which unfortunately continues to grow, shows us how important it is to pay special attention when it comes to our senior population, especially those whose immune system may be especially vulnerable to the disease.”

There have been 3,379 confirmed flu cases reported in El Paso as of the second week in January, which is more than eight times higher than the 396 cases that were reported during that period last year.