11 More Flu-Related Deaths In State, Including 2 In Tulsa County

The Oklahoma State Department of Health says the total number of flu deaths in the state this season jumped by 11 since last week.

That brings the total to 44.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health five of the 11 new deaths occurred in Mayes, Pittsburg, Tulsa and Washington counties.

The OSDH says in Tulsa County the number of flu deaths this season stands at eight. For Mayes County, last week's flu death was the first this season.

Statewide, hospitalizations due to influenza jumped from 975 last week to 1,076 this week.

The OSDH says among the dead are two people under age of four, ten who were 18 to 49 years old, 19 who were age 50 to 64 and 13 people older than 65.

Flu hospitalizations and deaths in eastern Oklahoma [since October 2013]:

• Adair County 6
• Cherokee County 7
• Craig County 9 (1 death)
• Creek County 21 (2 deaths)
• Delaware County 3
• Latimer County 6
• LeFlore County 19 (2 deaths)
• Mayes County 23 (1 death)
• McIntosh County 10 (1 death)
• Muskogee County 40 (2 deaths)
• Nowata County 2
• Okfuskee County 5
• Okmulgee County 20 (1 death)
• Osage County 6 (1 death)
• Ottawa County 7
• Pawnee County 5
• Pittsburg County 21 (3 deaths)
• Rogers County 25
• Sequoyah County 3
• Tulsa County 221 (8 deaths)
• Wagoner County 29
• Washington County 6 (2 deaths)

The Department of Health began keeping statistics for the 2013-2014 flu season beginning in October 2013.

2/6/2014 Related Story: Eight More Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma In Past Week

The Red Cross urges care to avoid spreading the virus.

The organization has user-friendly information about precautions to avoid the flu, what to do if you get the flu and how to safely care for someone who has the flu.

Most important is to wash your hands often.

The information is available in both English and Spanish.

Seasonal Flu Checklist - English

Taking Care Of People With The Flu - English

Seasonal Flu Checklist -Spanish

Taking Care Of People With The Flu -Spanish