Spokane County Reports First Flu Death, 52 Hospitalized This Winter

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Spokane County records first seasonal flu fatality as patient in their 60s succumbs to complications, marking 52 hospitalizations this winter.

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Washington's House Bill 2061 eliminates mandatory overtime for healthcare workers, expanding protections to technologists and specialists.

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Hospitals must provide 28-day PEP drug supply to HIV-exposed patients under Washington's Senate Bill 6127.

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Idaho tackles soaring medication costs through House Bill 596, demanding transparency from prescription benefit managers.

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Federal Trade Commission launches lawsuit against top PBMs over alleged artificial insulin price inflation.

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During 2023-2024 flu season, Washington state reported 134 flu-related deaths with Spokane County recording 20 fatalities.

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Health officials report typical seasonal patterns despite early death, expecting peak cases in January-February 2025.

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Whooping cough cases surge to 271 in Spokane County, showing dramatic increase from previous year's 54 cases.

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COVID-19 hospitalizations in Spokane County drop to 37 this December, compared to 174 cases in December 2023.

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Health experts emphasize two-week period for flu vaccine effectiveness, urging immediate vaccination for peak season protection.

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[{"selector":"#anim-80dc2d85-231a-4900-a06b-271b29fd4b20","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5f765ad-7381-4bf3-be19-59a56511cf3b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fadc2b4a-73d2-492a-ba68-7bf73fd3f8ea","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cfe4e51-d199-47af-8d49-d2969c05f463","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98c7667a-ddb0-4d25-8a08-0d0aeb4d6d62","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] COVID Variants XEC, KP.3.1.1 Surge; CDC Shares Updates Learn more