Health officials in the Tri-Cities say an elderly person has died of the flu, bringing the total number of reported flu-related deaths in the state to five so far this season.
Mountain States Health Alliance said they have had one flu-related death this season of an elderly person.
Elderly people are at a higher risk of getting the flu, along with children.
The Tennessee Department of Health has reported two child flu deaths in East Tennessee, one child flu death in Middle Tennessee, and the flu-related death of a pregnant woman in Middle Tennessee.
The department only receives reports of flu-related deaths in children and pregnant women, according to a spokesperson.
Hospitals in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities have been restricting visitors to prevent the spread of flu to patients and staff and the virus becomes widespread across the country.
UT Medical Center said they are seeing a rising number of flu cases, and are testing at least 40 people a day for the flu. The hospital said they had 53 people test positive for the flu in 9 days.
