This has already been an intense season for the flu in Ohio and across the country. 

Summit County provides weekly influenza reports on its website. As of Jan. 18, the most recent report — which ended on Jan. 5 — showed flu activity increasing in the area. More people were hospitalized than the week before —from 53 to 69 — and there was an increase in the number of antiviral prescriptions filled. Hospitals also continued their visitation restrictions because of the spread of the flu. 

On the plus side, there were fewer complaints of symptoms like fevers or sore throats in that time. 

The Ohio Department of Health’s website has some more recent information, and some of the figures are staggering. There have already been more than 2,500 flu-related hospitalizations across the state as of Jan. 12. Compare that to 175 last year, and 86 the year before for the same time period. The department notes that there has been a “dramatic and early increase” this season, and includes a chart that shows just that. 

To find flu shots in and around Stow, check out this article.