Is Ohio feeling better? Here’s the latest on flu cases & the counties suffering most
.jpg "The CDC tracks flu activity by the number of flu-related hospitalizations reported. Ohio cases continued a downward turn in the week ending March 23.")
With nearly 400 flu-related hospitalizations in the week ending March 23, Ohio flu activity continued to slow its pace.
Ohio reported 544 new cases the previous week, from March 9 to 16. The state averaged about 600 new cases per week for the first 9 weeks of the year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors weekly data of flu activity — the number of outpatient visits, positive lab tests and deaths due to flu — ranking states by their levels of activity.
On a scale of one to 13 with 13 being the very highest, Ohio is at level eight for the week ending March 23. While still classified as “high” and still higher than nearly every state in the U.S., Ohio flu activity dropped two levels, from level 10 to level eight, in a week’s time. At its worst, Ohio activity reached level 12 this season.
At level 8, the activity is still higher than the majority of the country, with only eight areas (D.C., Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming, Iowa and New York City) reporting equal or higher activity.
Northeast and east central (including Mahoning) Ohio have had the highest number of reported flu-related hospitalizations in the 2023-2024 flu season (from October to March).
The number of flu-related hospitalizations reported the week ending March 23 was only 35 in the east central region (Mahoning, Ashland, Carroll, Columbiana, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties). That’s forty fewer new cases than the previous week and 50 less than what was reported two weeks ago.
The east central region’s totals sit at 1,414 reported cases.
At 1,628, the northeast region, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties, continues to have the most reported flu activity in Ohio.
For the week ending March 23, the highest reported flu activity came from the northwest, which includes Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams and Wood counties. The region reported 78 new cases, bringing the season total to 1,153.
As of March 23, Ohio has had 8,539 cases of flu-related hospitalizations this season.
Ohio counties with the highest number of reported influenza-associated hospitalizations
- Cuyahoga: 1,026
- Franklin: 715
- Montgomery: 710
- Hamilton: 665
- Lucas: 450
- Summit: 340
- Stark: 312
- Butler: 297
- Lorain: 259
- Lake: 184
- Clermont: 159
- Mahoning: 156 (2 new hospitalizations since March 16)
Medina: 136
Warren: 135
- Clark: 113
- Miami: 111
- Greene: 111
- Allen: 108
- Wayne: 102
- Muskingum: 97
- Wood: 94
- Jefferson: 87
- Ashtabula: 86
- Columbiana: 80
- Geauga: 73
Vaccination’s impact
In Ohio, 48.8% of adults and 55.7% of children under 18 were vaccinated for the 2022-2023 season. Ohio’s reported vaccinations coverage was lower than the state average at 43.7%.
This year, vaccinations are up to 46.8%, according to the CDC. Despite an increase in Ohio residents getting flu shots this year, reported flu cases are on the rise in the state.
Flu Symptoms
Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- fever or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
Not everyone with flu will have a fever, but for those who do, the high temperatures can last for three to four days.
More information is available at Flu and COVID-19 symptoms.
The CDC reported this season’s flu shot reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalizations by 52%. For those who get sick despite getting a vaccine, the symptoms are far less severe.
The CDC recommends everyone ages six months and older should get annual flu vaccinations.
People at higher risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant people, those who suffer from certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.
Flu vaccinations are available by injection, nasal spray or in high doses (for seniors). The state provides free vaccinations for children under 18 years of age and for underinsured adults. To find flu vaccine locations near you, visit vaccines.gov.
