(AP) -- DENVER, Colo-- The number of new flu cases in Colorado has dropped for the third straight week, although four more deaths have been blamed on the virus.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said Wednesday a total of 38 people had died from the flu this season.
The department says people aged 25-49 account for 17 of the deaths, or nearly 45 percent. Officials say virtually all the flu cases they have seen this season are swine flu or H1N1.
The department says 42 new hospitalizations were reported last week. Officials say that will rise as late reports trickle in, but it's still expected to be lower than the 132 reported the week before.
The number of new hospitalizations has been declining since 333 were reported for the week of Oct. 11-17.
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