SAN DIEGO, CA — Health officials have confirmed the third flu-related death of the 2019-20 flu season in San Diego County.

An 80-year-old North County man died Nov. 1, according to the County Health and Human Services Agency. The man, whose name was withheld, had been vaccinated and had underlying medical conditions.

Influenza can be deadly, especially for those with underlying medical conditions,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer. “Our condolences go out to the man’s family and friends.”

The county tracks flu activity year-round during each flu season, which corresponds with the county’s fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.

The first death of this flu season was reported in August.

The county also confirmed 58 flu cases last week, nearly double the 30 confirmed cases from the previous week. Health officials have already confirmed 420 flu cases this season. At this time last flu season, officials had confirmed only 157 cases.

“The higher number of cases is an indication that influenza activity is increasing in the region,” Wooten said. “If you have not gotten a flu shot, do it now. The vaccine is here and readily available.”

Last season, 77 people died from the flu and 9,655 lab-confirmed cases were reported in the San Diego region, according to health officials. That was down from the previous season’s 343 deaths and 20,833 lab-confirmed cases.

The flu shot is available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. Visit www.sdiz.org or call 211 San Diego for a list of locations offering the vaccine.