(Toledo, OH) The death toll from the flu in Lucas County is now up to five.
Health department officials say a 71-year-old Toledo man died Wednesday of complications from the flu. Three other adults and an 18-month-old boy have died from influenza in the past week.
Meantime, state public health officials say the flu epidemic in Ohio is only getting worse overall.
More than 1,700 people in the Buckeye State were hospitalized with the flu in the first week of January alone. Public health officials say this year's strain of the virus is very aggressive, adding that the vaccine isn't as effective as they'd like.
People are being urged to get vaccinated, stay home if they're sick and wash their hands often.