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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio health officials say the number of flu-related hospitalizations rose slightly last week as an unusually severe season winds down.
The Ohio Department of Health reported 135 hospitalizations from Feb. 22 to Feb. 28, up from 119 a week earlier.
Those figures brought the season's total hospitalizations to 7,985, compared to 2,870 during the same time a year ago.
The state doesn't report adult flu deaths but has recorded the deaths of six children. Individual county health departments have reported several adult deaths.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said this season's vaccine may not protect as well against the dominant flu strain.
Health officials say getting the vaccine is still important, especially for the chronically ill, the elderly and pregnant women.
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