The flu has sickened an estimated 2.6 million Americans this season and killed 1,300, according to the CDC's most recent FluView report.
Six things to know:
1. The percentage of outpatient visits for flu-like illness was 3.2 percent for the week ending Dec. 7. This figure has been above the national baseline of 2.4 percent for five consecutive weeks.
2. About 11.3 percent of respiratory specimens tested positive for flu in the week ending Dec. 7. The agency has confirmed 15,027 positive specimens since Sep. 29.
3. Eleven states experienced high flu-like illness activity for the week ending Dec. 7. Another 11 states experienced moderate activity; nine states experienced low activity; and 18 states experienced minimal activity.
4. Four pediatric flu deaths were reported to the CDC in the week ending Dec. 7. The pediatric death count is 10 for the 2019-20 flu season.
5. Twenty-three states reported widespread flu activity, and 14 states reported regional flu activity for the week ending Dec. 7. Twelve states reported local flu activity, and one state reported sporadic activity.
6. The overall flu-associated hospitalization rate increased to 3.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending Dec. 7. The CDC has confirmed 1,139 flu-associated hospitalizations since Oct. 1.
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