Associated Press - November 12, 2009 8:54 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Swine flu deaths in California are on the rise.

State health officials say there have been 297 deaths attributed to swine flu in California to date, up from 266 reported on Oct. 31.

California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Mark Horton said Thursday in Sacramento that the virus is widespread in California, and has caused 5,380 hospitalizations to date, up from 4,820.

Horton says the vaccine's arrival has been slower than expected in California, with about 4.5 million doses shipped to the state so far.

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