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Health Officials Say Ohio Flu Hospitalizations Are Up
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The state says Ohio flu hospitalizations are higher than usual and much worse than a year ago.
The Ohio Department of Health says the state saw 92 flu-related hospitalizations during the week that ended Dec. 2 and has seen 257 hospitalizations overall since the flu season began.
The agency says those numbers are above the five-year average for December and higher than last year, which saw 19 flu-related hospitalizations during the same week and 83 hospitalizations overall for the period.
The state and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot.
Dr. Clint Koenig, the Health Department’s Medical Director, says pregnant women and infants are at high risk for serious flu complications.