Health officials urge precautions after county’s first flu death ahead of holiday season
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Riverside County health leaders are urging residents to take precautions ahead of Thanksgiving as flu activity begins to rise and the county records its first flu-related death of the 2025–26 season. Riverside University Health System confirmed that the individual who died was over the age of 65, lived in western Riverside County, and was not believed to have been vaccinated.
Dr. Geoffrey Leung, a physician for Riverside University Health System, said the death serves as a stark reminder that flu season is underway and that now is the critical time to get protected. He stressed that vaccination ahead of the holidays is one of the most effective ways to reduce severe illness and safeguard vulnerable loved ones.
He noted that while flu activity is only beginning to rise, emergency rooms and hospitals historically see increases as the season progresses.
“We are just starting to see flu cases pick up and we expect that we’ll see a rise… and that tells us that this is the best time to get vaccinated because you do want to get your flu shot before the peak."
Dr. Geoffrey Leung, Riverside University Health System Physician
County numbers show that only about 16 percent of residents are up-to-date on their flu vaccinations this season, a slightly lower rate compared to this time last year. With holiday gatherings approaching, Leung said families can play a role in protecting those at higher risk.
“The best way to protect grandmother or a mother who’s pregnant is to have everybody else in the house get vaccinated and sort of provide the safeguard."
Dr. Geoffrey Leung, Riverside University Health System Physician
Health officials continue to recommend common preventive steps in addition to vaccination, including frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when sick.
Even though the flu shot takes about two weeks to reach full effectiveness, officials emphasize that it is never too late to get vaccinated.
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