Ohio flu hospitalizations decreasing

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

State health officials are reporting a decrease in the number of flu-related hospitalizations in what has been an unusually bad season.

Numbers released Friday by the Ohio Department of Health showed 692 flu- related hospitalizations from Jan. 11 to Jan. 17, a significant drop from the previous week’s figure of 1,623 hospitalizations.

The new data bring the season’s total hospitalizations to 6,798. The state, which does not report adult flu deaths, has recorded the deaths of four children. Individual county health departments have reported several adult deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said 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.