STATISTICS SINCE MAY

Since as early as May, hospitals and nursing homes have reported increased infection rates from a virulent strain of Clostridium difficile, also known as C-diff. But the state health department has been reluctant to consider it an outbreak, according to The Plain Dealer. Information shows:
In July, when a federal health official requested information on cases in nursing homes, the state Health Department said it knew of 3,550 cases in 2004, up from 2,072 in 2002.
The Plain Dealer said it had confirmed 21 deaths related to C-diff in the Cleveland area, most in 2005. The number is based on coroner records, which capture only some C-diff deaths, and other cases brought to the newspaper's attention and confirmed through death certificates.
Associated Press