Fewer flu cases were confirmed in South Dakota last week, but there were more hospitalizations and another death.

A woman from Pennington County between the ages of 50 and 60 died, bringing total flu deaths to nine this season, said Vickie Horan, influenza surveillance coordinator for the state Department of Health.

Confirmed cases of influenza dropped from a high of 90 in week 8 of the season to 37 last week, which is week 11, Horan said.

So far, there have been 539 confirmed cases for the entire season, she said.

There were 43 influenza hospitalizations reported during the week of March 9-15, bringing the season's total to 281, Horan said.

Children and the elderly have been hit hardest by the flu. Statistics show that 37 percent of the confirmed cases and 22 percent of the hospitalizations were children 0 to 9 years old. And 34 percent of the hospitalizations have been people 70 and older, Horan said.

Officials at Rapid City Regional Hospital said their laboratories and clinics are seeing a downward trend in the number of cases of influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus.

"Although there is a downward trend, we continue to recommend high-risk groups (the very young, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases and compromised immune systems) continue to take precautions," hospital spokeswoman Melissa Kent said.

She said people in these high-risk categories could potentially develop serious complications if exposed to these viruses.

"We stress for people not to visit hospitals, assisted living centers or nursing homes if they are ill," Kent said.

Protect yourself from the flu

- Avoid crowds.

- Wash hands thoroughly throughout the day.

- Cover or shield coughs and sneezes to protect others.

- Wash your hands before touching your nose, mouth or eyes.

Argus-Leader reporter Steve Young contributed to this story.