The Spokane Regional Health District reports 105 people have been hospitalized with the flu since October. That compares with 19 people hospitalized with the virus last year in the district.

KXLY reports ( http://bit.ly/12k0SSZ) of those hospitalized this year, 72-percent were over the age of 50.

The health district says February and March are the peak months for contracting the influenza virus.

The state Health Department says the flu is widespread in Washington. There have been 34 flu deaths this season, compared with 18 flu deaths last year in the state.

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Information from: KXLY-TV, http://www.kxly.com/