Ohio health officials report flu activity now at highest level

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Department of Health says flu activity has now been upgraded to its highest level, about two weeks after the state said hospitalizations were much worse than a year ago.

Last year, flu activity wasn’t elevated to “widespread” until mid-January. The Dayton Daily News reports there have been 401 flu-associated hospitalizations statewide since health officials made the upgrade announcement Monday.

There were 8,661 flu-associated hospitalizations in 2016.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot.