Health Department: Number Of Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma Slows

The latest influenza numbers released Thursday by the Oklahoma State Department of Health show only two more residents have died due to the flu this season.

That brings the number of deaths this flu season to 84. The two latest deaths were in Cleveland and Oklahoma counties.

In the health department's previous two reports, flu-related deaths in the state had jumped by 24.

2/12/2015 Related Story: 14 New Oklahoma Flu-Related Deaths Reported

OSDH officials say the number of flu-related hospitalizations are down for the week of February 11 to February 17. They add while the decrease in hospitalizations for the week ending on February 17th is good news, the health department still is classifying flu in Oklahoma as "widespread."

Health officials are also continuing to encourage residents who have not had a vaccination to consider the benefits.

The current flu season began on September 28, 2014.

Statewide, the OSDH reports 65 of the 82 flu-related deaths this season were residents 65 years of age or older.

County list of flu-related deaths since September 28, 2014:

Canadian [3]

Carter [1]

Cherokee [1]

Cleveland [5]

Comanche [3]

Custer [1]

Delaware [1]

Garfield [5]

Garvin [1]

Jackson [1]

Lincoln [1]

Logan [2]

Marshall [1]

McClain [2]

McIntosh [2]

Muskogee [3]

Okfuskee [2]

Oklahoma [9]

Ottawa [2]

Payne [2]

Pittsburg [1]

Pottawatomie [1]

Rogers [4]

Stephens [4]

Tillman [3]

Tulsa [20]

Wagoner [1]

Washington [1]

Woodward [1]