Swine flu afflictions on the rise.

Monday, November 16, 2009State health officials have boosted the numbers of fatalities they say are related to the H1N1 flu virus to more than 500, compared to some 297 deaths compared to a swine flu in California update, 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.