According to National Records of Scotland, there were 17 deaths provisionally registered with flu as the underlying cause and 21 where flu was mentioned on the death certificate.
Those figures, respectively, were 137 and 171 at the peak of the last winter flu season – most of which were people over the age of 80.
This week BBC Scotland News contacted all 14 health boards and 32 councils to find out about the impact of the flu spike on hospitals and schools.
Of those who responded, some noted that pupil absences were broadly in line with previous years, though East Lothian Council had a higher pupil absence rate compared with the same week last year.
Midlothian Council said its school staff absence rate was “high” for a variety of reasons including colds/flu.
More health boards responded, all broadly saying flu cases were higher this year, with some introducing ward restrictions or face coverings as precautions.
NHS Grampian said 33 people were in hospital with the illness across the region after a “sharp increase”, and flu patients took up one in every 35 beds at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
A spokesperson added: “We currently have around 560% more patients in hospital with flu than at the same time last year.”
The health board for Ayrshire and Arran has suspended routine visits across all hospitals. This will be reviewed daily.
Glasgow’s health board has been telling patients to stay at home to treat themselves, and to avoid A&E when suffering mild or moderate flu symptoms.
Dumfries and Galloway’s medical director has also urged people not to visit hospitals, care homes, or other healthcare settings if they are unwell.
