Cleveland-area reports 8 flu deaths in week, 16 total

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s most-populous county reported today that eight people died from the flu in the first full week in January as the unusually bad flu season continues.

The deaths reported by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health for the week ending Jan. 10 are half the agency’s total of 16 for the season and the most in a week since 2009.

The ages of the victims ranged from 60 to 97. The county has seen 1,191 flu-related hospitalizations this season, also the most since 2009.

More than 1,500 people were hospitalized statewide for the flu during the same week, the state health department said.

Data released by the state showed 1,623 flu-related hospitalizations for the week ending Jan. 10. That’s a 36 percent jump from a week earlier and brings the season total to 6,111, though the rate of hospitalizations appears to be slowing based on data from earlier weeks.

Nevertheless, it’s still important to take preventive measures like regular hand washing and not touching surfaces in common areas, Richard Stacklin, a data analyst with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, said today.