Flu is responsible for an estimated 13 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 6,600 deaths this season, according to the CDC's most recent FluView report.
Five things to know:
1. The percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for flu and the percentage of outpatient visits for flu-like illness both decreased in the week ending Jan. 11. However, figures remain above baseline levels, the CDC noted.
2. Thirty-two states experienced high flu-like illness activity, four states experienced moderate activity and nine states experienced low activity. Five states experienced minimal activity.
3. Two pediatric flu deaths were reported to the CDC in the week ending Jan. 11, bringing the total count to 39 this season.
4. Forty-eight states reported widespread flu activity — two more than a week prior. Oregon reported regional flu activity, and Hawaii reported local flu activity.
5. The overall flu-associated hospitalization rate jumped to 19.9 per 100,000 people but falls in line with trends seen during this time last season. The CDC has confirmed 5,786 flu-associated hospitalizations since Oct. 1.