LITTLE ROCK — The number of flu-related deaths in Arkansas this season has increased to 16, state health officials reported Tuesday.
Arkansas Department of Health said none of the dead were children, with 12 people older than 65. Two people were between the ages of 45 and 64 and two were between the ages of 25 and 44.
The state Department of Health said since Sept. 27, 2020, there have been 1,784 positive flu tests reported to the ADH online database by health care providers. Health officials said the reported cases reflect only a portion of the actual numbers of flu cases in the state.
Officials reported that the average school absenteeism rate last week was 6.2 percent among public schools. No nursing homes have reported flu outbreaks this season, according to the department of health.