US state Oklahoma reports 6 more flu deaths

Six more flu deaths had been reported in the U.S. state of Oklahoma in the last week, bringing the total flu-related deaths in the state for this season to 23, authorities said Thursday. A total of 798 people have been hospitalized with the flu in Oklahoma since the season began in September 2012, the Oklahoma State Department of Health said. Tulsa County leads the state with 236 flu-related hospitalizations, and six flu-related deaths. Oklahoma County is second with 106 hospitalizations and three deaths. Health officials continued emphasizing the importance of flu shots because people who already have the flu but show no symptoms can still spread it to others. The US is experiencing one of its worst flu seasons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report last week that 42 states are now reporting widespread flu activity, down from 47 states from the agency's previous report. The CDC's report shows that the number of flu-related deaths in the country has fallen during the week of Jan. 20 to 26. However, eight more children died from flu during the week, raising the total to 45 for the 2012-2013 influenza season, according to the CDC.