Three More Flu Deaths Reported In Oklahoma

Three more people have died in Oklahoma in the past week from the flu, bringing the total number of deaths to 17 since September 30, 2012.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health says Tulsa County leads the state in the number of flu-related deaths with four, one more from a week ago.

Comanche County has had three deaths. Oklahoma and Pittsburg counties have had two each. Cleveland, Creek, Mayes, Muskogee, Rogers and Stephens counties have one death each. The three newest deaths were Oklahoma, Tulsa and Stephens counties.

The latest numbers from the OSDH show hospitalizations from the illness have slowed from the previous week. Since the flu season began in September, 722 people statewide have been hospitalized with the illness.

Oklahoma Department of Health flu information.

The highest number of hospitalized flu patients, 216, occurred in Tulsa County, followed by 101 hospitalizations in Oklahoma County.

The names of those who've died were not released, but the OSDH report reveals five were ages 19 to 64, while twelve 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.

1/24/2013 Related Story: Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma Nearly Double In One Week