(Columbia, SC) - Respiratory illnesses continue to be on the rise in South Carolina.
DHEC says there have been 433 flu-related hospitalizations in the past week and 19 deaths from the flu since the season began.
The CDC ranks South Carolina as one of the highest states for flu cases in the U.S.
Within South Carolina, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties have the highest levels of flu-like illnesses.