sgroves@delphosherald.com

DELPHOS — So far this year, the Tri-county area has seen an escalation in reported [patients hospitalized] flu cases. Allen has documented 78, Putnam checks in with 11 and Van Wert has recorded three.

The Ohio Department of Health Seasonal Influenza Activity Summary indicates widespread flu virus activity in Ohio. For the week of Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, there were 90 reported influenza-associated hospitalizations; 40 in the Central, 11 in the East Central, 10 in the Northeast, 10 in the Northwest, 10 in the Southeast, five in the Southwest and four in the West Central region.

The flu vaccines offered by the health departments protect against the three most common influenza viruses; the A (H1N1) virus, an A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus.