Although many measurements of the flu virus' impact have fluctuated or wavered in recent weeks, the overall hospitalization rate for flu virus in the U.S. has continued to climb, accounting for 18.2 hospitalizations for every 100,000 during the week of March 13 to March 19, according to the CDC.
This hospitalization rate was higher for patients over 65, followed by those aged 50-64 and children under 4 years old. For the same week, 3.2 percent of outpatient visits were associated with flu-like symptoms, down to their lowest point in three weeks.
Two pediatric deaths due to the flu were reported from March 13-March 19, for a total of 30 so far this season.