Ohio swine-flu deaths are now at 30

COLUMBUS (AP) — Health officials say the flu — including swine flu — peaked in Ohio in mid-October and has continued to decline.

But state health director Dr. Alvin Jackson cautioned during a conference call with reporters on today that flu activity often ebbs and flows and could easily flare up again.

Jackson says Ohio had seen 30 swine flu-related deaths as of Tuesday, and that there have been more than 2,500 hospitalizations. He says several of the state’s hospitals report they’ve seen up to 70 percent increases in emergency room visits for swine flu symptoms.

The state has so far received 1.6 million doses of swine flu vaccine, and Jackson says he expects Ohio to get 5.3 million more.