Ohio Health Department Reports More Flu Hospitalizations

The Ohio Health Department says more than 1,000 people were hospitalized for the flu during the first full week of the new year. Data released Friday last week 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. The state says two young children and two teens have died from the flu this season, with the Lucas County Health Department also reporting the deaths of two elderly women this month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said this year's vaccine may not protect against the dominant flu strain as well. The state says getting the vaccine is still important, especially for the chronically ill, the elderly and pregnant women.