Ohio weekly flu hospitalizations continue to rise

NORWALK — The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reports that the number of new influenza (flu)-related hospitalizations has risen again. The 994 flu hospitalizations in Ohio from Feb. 2 to Feb. 8 marks a new high for the 2019-2020 flu season and a 19 percent increase over the previous flu reporting week. These numbers bring the total Ohio hospitalizations since the season began at the end of September to 5,457, and are more than double the hospitalizations reported during the same week of last year's flu season. According to ODH, "1 in 12 Americans is likely to get sick from flu this season." The flu virus can be especially dangerous for people who are very young or elderly, people with compromised or weakened immune systems, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women. If you are in one of these categories and develop flu symptoms, seek medical care right away. Symptoms typically start one to four days following exposure and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache and fatigue. While adult flu deaths are not reported to ODH; two Ohio children, girls ages 11 and 16, have died from the flu since the start of the season. As monitoring continues for COVID-2019 (coronavirus disease 2019), state infectious disease experts also are monitoring flu-related activity — from lab data to emergency department visits to thermometer sales — in an effort to keep Ohioans healthy. Protect yourself and everyone around you by getting a flu shot and following these tips to help you stay healthy this flu season: • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitizer when unable to wash. • Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread this way. • Get plenty of rest. Sleep is shown to help your body fight off illness. • When you are sick, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication to avoid spreading flu to others. HCPH weekly flu reports are available online at https://www.huroncohealth.com/influenza-surveillance. To schedule a flu shot appointment with HCPH, call 419-668-1652 ext. 241.