Flu Continues To Spread In Ohio, 380 Hospitalized In 1 Week

CLEVELAND — Flu-activity in Ohio continues to spread. Over the last full week of December, between Dec. 22 and Dec. 28, there were more than 380 flu-related hospitalizations throughout the state.

During this flu season, which started in 2019 and continues through 2020, there have been more than 1,000 hospitalizations related to influenza, the Ohio Department of Health said. During the last week of the year, there were no pediatric deaths related to the flu.

Both the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health have described the current flu-activity in Ohio as "widespread."

West Central Ohio leads the state in hospitalizations related to the flu over the past week, with 122. Northeast Ohio had the second most hospitalizations with 67.

The Ohio Department of Health said patients with symptoms of flu-like sickness are above "baseline levels" recently. The number of emergency department visits are also above "baseline levels."

Much of the nation is experiencing the spread of the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate there have been 4.6 million cases of the flu nationwide. The CDC said as many as 2,100 people may have been killed by the flu already this season.

"It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that protect against flu to fully develop in the body," said ODH Dr. Director Amy Acton in a statement issued in December. She recommended Ohioans get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Besides getting a flu shot, Ohioans can follow simple steps to stymie the spread of influenza:

• Wash your hands often, using soap
• Try not to touch your face because germs spread easily through contact
• Get plenty of sleep
• If you're sick, stay home. Don't needlessly expose other people to your sickness

Flu vaccines are available through most doctor's offices, pharmacies and at some college campuses.