Ohio reports slight drop in flu hospitalizations

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio health officials say the number of flu-related hospitalizations fell slightly last week as an unusually bad season continues to taper off.

Numbers released today by the Ohio Department of Health showed 212 flu-related hospitalizations from Feb. 1 to Feb. 7, almost unchanged from 213 a week earlier.

The new numbers bring the season’s total hospitalizations to 7,612. The state doesn’t report adult flu deaths but has recorded the deaths of five children. Individual county health departments have reported several adult deaths, including more than 30 in Cuyahoga County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this season’s vaccine may not protect as well against the dominant flu strain.

Health officials say getting the vaccine is still important, especially for the chronically ill, the elderly and pregnant women.