As panic over the coronavirus epidemic continues to grow, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a sobering reminder of another potentially lethal virus that’s making the rounds in the U.S.

In a report issued Monday, the CDC notes more than 20,000 U.S. residents have died from the flu this season. Of that number, 136 were children, making the current flu epidemic the deadliest for children since the 2009 pandemic. Worldwide, the flu has claimed more than 38,000 lives this year, per the CDC.

The number of flu-related deaths is especially disturbing because most of them could have been prevented by the flu vaccine, CDC officials say. “Almost all — 99 percent — of the influenza viruses tested this season are susceptible to the four FDA-approved influenza antiviral medications recommended for use in the U.S.,” a statement released by the CDC reads.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/flu-deaths-20000-americans-this-season-including-136-children-cdc/