Flu cases are on the rise around the country, and Ohio is one of 26 states experiencing high flu activity.
Maps from the Centers for Disease Control show activity levels for cases of the flu rising over the last two weeks. In the week ending Dec. 23, Ohio is green, indicating minimal flu activity. But just one week later, the week ending on Dec. 30, Ohio is red, showing high activity levels for the flu.
The CDC has not declared epidemic levels of the flu in Ohio, but we're heading in that direction.
Hospitals in Northeast Ohio are even restricting the number of visitors after such a quick increase in flu cases. At University Hospitals in Elyria, patients 18 and under cannot receive any visitors, while patients over 18 are allowed one guest at a time. This visitor ban will be lifted once the number of flue cases decreases. Akron Regional Hospital Association is also recommending visitation restrictions. Cleveland Clinic is imposing restrictions at three of its Akron area hospitals.
During this time last year in Ohio, there were 369 hospitalizations for the flu. This year we have already seen over 2,000, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
