Data: Flu-related deaths climb to 98 as activity declines slightly

ATLANTA — New information from the Georgia Department of Public Health seem to point to a decline in flu activity. However, officials warn that the virus is still wide-spread.

According to the agency's week-seven data for the week of Feb. 11 to the 17, the number of flu-related deaths has risen to 98 people, including four children. That was an increase from the 79 flu-related deaths the week before.

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However, the new data indicates the number of flu-related hospital visits has fallen slightly, with only 91 hospitalizations over the last week. That's down from 165 hospitalizations the week before. So far, the flu has been linked to nearly 2,000 hospitalizations for this 2017-2018 season.

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Officials said the last two weeks of declining activity may be an indicator that the season may have peaked, but it's still too early to say for sure.

Officials say there are still weeks to go before any significant improvement.