By AP
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-955596.mp3
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma State Department of Health says the number of reported influenza-associated deaths has risen to 17 after two more fatalities were reported last week.
Officials said Thursday the deaths were of two people in the 65 years and older group who lived in Garfield and McClain counties.
Since Sept. 1, 865 cases of influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported to the Health Department. Of the hospitalizations, 48 percent have occurred among children 18 years of age or less.
Of the 500 specimens tested at the Health Department since Sept. 1, 366, or 73.2 percent, were positive for influenza. Officials say 65.3 percent of those tested positive for Type A flu, 4.1 percent were positive for swine flu and 30.6 percent were positive for Type B influenza.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.