ALERT: Flu season in Georgia far from over

ATLANTA — A state health official told Channel 2 Action News that this year’s flu season could last another six to 10 weeks.

"We still have high intensity of flu activity," said Dr. Patrick O’Neal, of the Georgia Department of Public Health.

According to the latest statistics from the department, during week No. 9 of the flu season, which ran from Feb. 26 to March 4, there were 33 flu-related hospitalizations in Georgia.

So far this season, there have been 891 flu-related hospitalizations.

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There also have been four flu deaths in Georgia. All the victims were over the age of 65.

Health officials want to remind people that everyone is vulnerable.

“I think it’s important to recognize that the majority of the flu cases have actually been in the younger population, ages 5 to 24,” O’Neal said.

Doctors are also stressing that it’s not too late to get a flu shot.

“If you got the shot today or even next week, it would not be too late to help with the latter part of the season," O’Neal said.

Janice Mitchell told Channel 2 Action News that she and her 1-year-old daughter, Yasmine, were vaccinated this year because she knows the flu can be dangerous.

"Oh, it was horrible. It puts you down. You're in the bed for a couple days. You're sweating, and you can't keep food down and your body aches," Mitchell said.

Cox Media Group