RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Flu-related illnesses and deaths have been rising across the state, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Three flu-related deaths were reported within the past week, bringing the number of deaths to nine this season.

North Carolina reported 542 flu-related deaths for the 2024-25 respiratory virus season; this is the highest number of statewide flu deaths ever recorded in NC.

So far, no flu-related deaths in children have been reported in North Carolina.

SEE ALSO | Flu concerns grow in US as UK sees more cases among kids

Influenza A (H3N2) virus strain known as subclade K has spread worldwide, and it is the most often reported flu virus so far this season in the U.S.

State Epidemiologist Zack Moore says the flu is spreading quickly in our state and says flu vaccines are the most important tool to protect yourself from illness or death.

As holiday travel and gatherings ramp up, NCDHHS shares the following tips to keep yourself and loved ones safe and healthy:

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based sanitizers can help prevent the spread of some respiratory viruses.

• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are often touched.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw it away into the trash.

Stay home when sick: Avoid going out if you can and take steps to prevent spreading the flu to others in your home, such as using a separate bathroom, not sharing cups, towels and utensils, and wearing a mask when around other people.

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Jasper Johnson scored a career high 22 points as Kentucky rolled past North Carolina Central 103-67 on Tuesday night inside Rupp Arena.

Johnson, a freshman from Lexington, made 6 of 10 from the floor, including 2 of 4 from behind the arc, and 8 of 8 at the line.

UK got a season-high 21 points from Otega Oweh, 14 points from Malachi Moreno, 11 from Trent Noah and 10 from Andrija Jelavic.

The Cats made 39 of 64 (60.9 percent) of its shots from the floor, including 12 of 29 (41.4 percent) from behind the arc. UK had 27 assists on those 39 made field goals.

Kentucky (6-4) scored the first five points of the game on a three from Trent Noah and a Collin Chandler bucket. After an NC Central basket, Oweh hit a three to give UK an 8-2 advantage. However, NCCU scored the next five to get within one.

A Moreno dunk, a Denzel Aberdeen layup and an Oweh floater extended the lead to 14-7. A three from the Eagles cut the UK lead to four before Brandon Garrison made a pair of free throws. However, NCCU scored to again cut the UK lead to four, 16-12.

Johnson scored on a drive to the basket, then was fouled shooting a three. The freshman made all three charity tosses to extend the Cats’ lead to 21-12. After the Eagles hit a three, Aberdeen slashed to the basket for a dunk and Garrison converted a three-point play and UK led 26-15. NCCU scored to get within nine.

A Jelavic three gave UK a 29-17 lead, but the Eagles scored four in a row to get within eight. An Aberdeen basket made it 31-21 before NCCU scored to again get within eight.

A Moreno layup, an Oweh three, two Johnson free throws, another Moreno basket, a Noah three, a Noah dunk, and an Oweh layup comprised a 16-0 run that stretched the UK lead to 47-23. The Cats would lead 52-31 at the half, with Oweh leading all scorers with 12 points.

NCCU scored the first two points of the second half, but UK got a Moreno dunk and an Oweh layup to lead 56-33. After two Eagles’ free throws, Kentucky got layups from Aberdeen and Moreno to lead 60-35. NCCU would score before two Chandler free throws made it 62-37 Cats. However, the Eagles scored the next five points to cut the deficit to 20.

Oweh scored the next five points for the Cats as they took at 67-44 lead. For the second time in the game, Johnson made three consecutive free throws to build the advantage to 70-44.

Later in the second half, the Cats would extend the lead even further on a Chandler three that gave UK an 80-48 lead. NCCU would get back within 26 at 86-60 but the Eagles would get no closer.

Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, hosting Indiana inside Rupp Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ESPN.