On Oct. 10, 1918, Cincinnati Health Officer Peters estimated that there were between 4,000 and 4,500 influenza cases in the city. He also claimed that the epidemic had been checked, but added that he and other city officials would remain vigilant in their battle against influenza until it was stamped out completely.

Within a week, Health Officer Peters was no longer feeling so optimistic. Case and fatality reports from the previous day showed the highest death rate since the start of the epidemic.