Health officials say Oklahoma nears flu death record with 129

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma health officials say the state has recorded 129 influenza deaths this season – just one fatality shy of the state’s record death toll – and about 3,000 people have been hospitalized with illness.

The Oklahoma Department of Health said Thursday that flu deaths since Sept. 1 exceed the previous record of 130 deaths set last year.

Health officials say that 89 people aged 65 or over are among this year’s flu victims, more than any other age group. A total of 15 people aged 18-49 and another 25 people aged 50-64 have also died due to the flu this season.

A total of 748 Tulsa County residents have been hospitalized due to the flu, more than any other Oklahoma county.