Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma Nearly Double In One Week

Six people have died in Oklahoma in the past week from the flu bringing the total number to 14 deaths since September 30, 2012.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health says Tulsa and Comanche counties lead the state in the number of flu-related deaths with three each. Pittsburg County now has 2 deaths, with one in the past week. Cleveland, Creek, Mayes, Muskogee, Oklahoma and Rogers counties have one death each.

The latest numbers from the OSDH show hospitalizations from the illness have slowed from the previous week. Since the flu season began in September 611 people statewide have been hospitalized with the flu, up from 484 hospitalizations last week.

Oklahoma Department of Health flu information.

The highest number of hospitalized flu patients, 188, occurred in Tulsa County, followed by 80 hospitalizations in Oklahoma County.

The names of those who've died were not released, but the OSDH report reveals four were aged 19 to 64, while ten were over the age of 65.

Other eastern Oklahoma counties with flu-related hospitalizations includes Adair, Cherokee, Latimer, McIntosh, Nowata, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Sequoyah, Wagoner and Washington counties.

The flu season is considered to be the months of September through May.

1/17/2013 Related Story: No New Flu Deaths In Oklahoma, But More People Hospitalized