According to the state Department of Health, there have been 19 lab-confirmed flu deaths in Washington since December. But the total number of deaths related to the flu may be even higher, and experts are warning that the flu outbreak has reached “peak levels.”

“Only lab-confirmed flu deaths are reportable in the state, and many cases aren’t lab tested, so the actual toll of flu is likely higher,” says a press release distributed on the outbreak today.

Calling the outbreak “widespread in Washington,” the Department of Health notes that most “confirmed flu cases across the nation and in our state have been the 2009 H1N1 strain, which is covered by this season’s flu vaccine.” That would be good news if more people were vaccinated, but the agency unfortunately notes that “estimates from November showed that less than 40 percent of the population had been vaccinated against flu,” nationally, “leaving a lot of people unprotected.” The goal, according to the Department of Health, is an 80 percent vaccination rate, which is what’s needed to “best protect people and communities from flu.”

“We expect flu to circulate in our state for several more weeks,” the agency assesses, noting that there’s still time to get vaccinated.

“The flu can be a serious disease,” Dr. Kathy Lofy, interim state health officer, is quoted as saying in the press release. “People of all ages can get very sick. Getting vaccinated is the best protection and can help people avoid severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.”

The state Department of Health recommends that people use the flu vaccine finder to identify locations where they can get flu vaccine in their community.