COLUMBUS — Ohio health officials say flu hospitalizations reached their highest number for the 2019-2020 season.
“The current flu hospitalization numbers are deeply concerning,” said director Dr. Amy Acton
Health officials say an 11-year-old girl from Lake County earlier this week became the state’s second pediatric flu death this season.
A 16-year-old girl from Cuyahoga County was the first.
The state doesn’t track adult flu-related deaths.
There have been nearly 4,500 flu-related hospitalizations in Ohio this season.
Ohio currently has no confirmed cases of 2019 novel coronavirus, which has claimed more than 900 lives in China.
Acton says the flu poses a greater health threat to Ohioans.
“The best way to prevent getting the flu and passing it on to loved ones is to get a flu shot. It’s not too late,” she said.
While the flu can become severe for anyone, it is especially dangerous for the very young and elderly, those with compromised or weakened immune systems, those with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women.