Flu activity has been elevated for eight consecutive weeks, sickening an estimated 6.4 million people and killing 2,900 this season, according to the CDC's most recent FluView report.
Six things to know:
1. The percentage of outpatient visits for flu-like illness was 6.9 percent for the week ending Dec. 28, up from 5.1 percent a week prior.
2. About 26.3 percent of respiratory specimens tested positive for flu in the week ending Dec. 28. The CDC has confirmed 55,251 positive specimens since Sep. 29.
3. Thirty-four states experienced high flu-like illness activity, nine states experienced moderate activity and five states experienced low activity. Two states — Delaware and Idaho — experienced minimal activity.
4. Five pediatric flu deaths were reported to the CDC in the week ending Dec. 28, bringing the total count to 27 this season.
5. Forty-five states reported widespread flu activity, and four states reported regional flu activity this week. Hawaii reported local flu activity.
6. The overall flu-associated hospitalization rate increased to 9.2 per 100,000 people. The CDC has confirmed 2,667 flu-associated hospitalizations since Oct. 1.