Health officials say swine flu has caused the death of at least 19 more children in the United States -- the largest one-week increase since the pandemic started in April.
At least 114 children have died from swine flu complications since the spring. That's up from 95 reported a week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
More Tamiflu for children has been released from a national medicine stockpile. There have been spot shortages of the children's version of the swine flu treatment.
The CDC also reported that swine flu is widespread now in all but two states.
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An 80-year-old Long Grove woman is the latest Illinoisan to die of complications from the H1N1 flu virus, health officials said Friday. The woman, who died Wednesday, had "other significant medical conditions that increased her vulnerability to the virus," the Lake County Health Department said.
There were 28 H1N1-related deaths in Illinois as of Friday, the state health department said. The number of hospitalizations for swine flu in the week of Oct. 10 was the highest since the virus appeared, state data show.
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Starting Nov. 2, the Cook County Department of Public Health will begin offering free H1N1 vaccinations by appointment to those at highest risk for serious infections.
Suburban Cook County residents who want to make an appointment can call (708) 836-8600.
Staff and wire reports
