The current flu season continues to intensify, as the virus is now widespread in 46 states as of Jan. 3, up from 43 states the week before, and five new flu-associated pediatric deaths were reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additionally, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza was above the epidemic threshold as of Jan. 3. The number of pediatric deaths so far this flu season now sits at 26.
The only states where the flu is not widespread are Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii and Washington, D.C.
Outpatient clinics have been flooded with patients who have flu-like symptoms: During the week ending Jan. 3, 5.6 percent of patient visits at outpatient centers were due to influenza-like illness, above the national baseline of 2 percent.
The updated flu report from the CDC seems to reflect information from Gallup's national flu poll, which shows the 2014-15 flu season could be one of the worst on record in the U.S.