As we have been reporting Douglas County has its first confirmed case of the flu.

The first flu death of the season in Douglas County is now identified as a woman over the age of 65 who passed away in the last week.

In addition we are also told that the flu is fast tracking its way through the metro, with the most cases ever, 813, reported in a single week.

So far this flu season there have been 2,404 confirmed cases and officials insist that number is just the tip of the iceberg as many people who are getting sick simply stay home and are not counted.

And then there’s the state penitentiary in Lincoln and other Nebraska prisons where a total of 45 cases of the flu have been diagnosed.

Christmas Eve visits at the state pen have been canceled.

Health officials note that it is not too late to get a flu shot and recommend that those who need to get vaccinated most are pregnant women, anyone 65 or older as well as anyone with asthma, diabetes or chronic lung disease.