Tuscarawas County Health officials say Ohio is in the midst of one of its most active flu seasons in more than five years and they’re asking everyone to help slow the spread.
Community Relations Director Jennifer Demuth says nearly one in three people across the nation with symptoms who takes the flu test right now is testing positive.
“We do have a lot of flu in our area. It is not a case for panic. Instead, here at the Tuscarawas County Health Department, we’re just encouraging everyone to take precautions.”
She says if showing symptoms, it’s important to test to know if it’s the flu, and so a doctor can get an individual on an antiviral medication to make the illness less severe.
Demuth says people with symptoms need to keep away from others and to stay home until fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours.
Demuth says the latest report from the state health department showed Tuscarawas County had 17 residents hospitalized due to the flu as of February first. She adds that number is sure to go up when the next report is released this Friday.
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