The Oklahoma Department of Health says influenza has taken the lives of 16 people during the past week.
Health officials reported Thursday that 47 Oklahomans have died due to flu-related illness since the flu season began Sept. 28. Almost 1,200 others have been hospitalized, including 100 during the past week.
A record 61 people died in the state during the previous flu season to break the previous record of 46 deaths recorded in the 2009 season, when the state began tracking the statistic.
Thirty-six of the flu victims were 65 or older while six were in the 50-64 age group, two each in the 18-49 and 5-17 age group, and one was 4 or younger.
Tulsa County has recorded the most deaths with 11, followed by Garfield County with five.
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