Flu-related hospitalizations soar in metro Atlanta

During a recent four-week period, 244 people were hospitalized in metro Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported. Two people have died so far.

During the same four-week period last year, there were just eight hospitalizations, heath department spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said.

During the H1N1 pandemic of 2009, there were 127 hospitalizations during the same four-week period, she said.

The hospitalizations underscore the severity of the flu, which is striking Georgia harder this season than at any time in the past decade, health officials said.

They also represent a dramatic increase over the flu season a year ago, which was considered a mild one for flu activity, said Dr. Patrice Harris, director of Fulton County Health Services and a district health director.

"We actually are seeing widespread activity all around the state," said Dr. Cherie Drenzek, state epidemiologist.