By Associated Press - Monday, December 18, 2017

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Department of Health says flu activity has now been upgraded to its highest level, about two weeks after the state said hospitalizations were much worse than a year ago.

Last year, flu activity wasn’t elevated to “widespread” until mid-January. The Dayton Daily News reports there have been 401 flu-associated hospitalizations statewide since health officials made the upgrade announcement Monday.

There were 8,661 flu-associated hospitalizations in 2016.

People were interested in these podcasts

The Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are recommending everyone six months and older get a flu shot as soon as possible.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.