According to Ohio Department of Health officials, the reported death toll from H1N1 across the state is up to 30, including three children.
To this point, the state has received roughly 1.6 million doses of swine flu vaccine. However, of Ohio's 11.5 million residents, close to 5.5 million fall into the higher risk categories for contracting the flu. That means demand for vaccine is far exceeding the available supplies.
"It is very important for those of us who are not high risk to be patient and give those at the highest risk for influenza-related complications every opportunity to receive this limited resource," said Kris Weiss, of the ODH.
State figures do not include Cathleen Wagner, the Columbiana Village school teacher who reportedly died this week from complications after contracting H1N1. But they do include a 50-year-old woman from Mahoning County, said officials. The state would not identify her, or release when she died due to confidentiality concerns.
Authorities said while each flu-related death of a child must be reported to the state, there are no such requirements for deaths involving adult victims.
