Flu hospitalizations up in Ohio, but low compared to 2015

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Influenza-like illness is widespread in Mahoning County and throughout Ohio, and the numbers of associated hospitalizations took a big jump for the first time this season, according to county and state health officials.

Last week, there were 203 new confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in Ohio compared to 93 from the week before, bringing the total to 653 since the flu season began last October.

By comparison, there were 7,985 total flu-associated hospitalizations at the same time last year when the flu vaccine was not well-matched for circulating flu viruses, which has not been an issue this year, reported the Ohio Department of Health.

Read more about the situation in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.