ATLANTA (AP) — State Department of Public Health officials say nearly 40 people have died of flu-related complications this season and more than 650 people have been hospitalized.

Georgia Hospital Association spokesman Kevin Bloye told the Augusta Chronicle (http://bit.ly/1iDQzBx ) that his organization is "closely monitoring flu levels across the state."

Bloye says although the state's hospitals are seeing an increase in the number of flu cases, the primary concern is the severity of the cases. Bloye says many patients who have been hospitalized have been much sicker than normal.

Georgia Department of Public Health influenza surveillance coordinator Audrey Martyn says although the state isn't even halfway through flu season, the organization has seen more severe cases than in 2013.

Martyn says the H1n1 strain has made comeback in Georgia and across the country.

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