Number of Flu-Related Deaths Climbs to 30 in Bay Area

A total of 30 people across the Bay Area have died of flu-related illness so far this season as of Wednesday -- including one person in Napa County

Also in Napa County, six more people were hospitalized on Wednesday, bringing the total in area hospitals with flu-related illness to 27.

Of those hospitalized Wednesday, two were men aged 30-40 who were placed in intensive care units.

Four people were placed in regular hospital rooms, including one woman aged 20-30, one man aged 50-60, one woman aged 60-65 and a man older than 65.

Sonoma County officials saw their fourth flu-related death on Tuesday night. This latest death was a woman in her early 60s with existing medical issues and was infected with the H1N1 virus.

 Out of the 30 deaths attributed to the flu, five under 65 died since December.

Three of the 30 people had contracted the H1N1 virus.

 Everyone is encouraged to get a flu vaccination. The injection also includes protection against the H1N1 strain and takes about two weeks after vaccination to become fully effective.

For information on getting a flu shot in Napa County, click here.

Click here for CDC: Flu Symptoms