Flu cases are continuing to surge throughout the United States, with flu hospitalizations hitting their highest rates in a decade, according to CDC officials.

Flu cases continue to surge

According to CDC, nine states, New York City, and Washington, D.C. reported very high activity of influenza-like illnesses for the week ending in Oct. 29, while eight states reported high activity and four states reported moderate activity.

In the mid-Atlantic and Midwest, CDC said it has seen a "growing proportion of H1N1 virus" and "early signs of influenza causing severe illness," especially in young children and older adults. There have also been higher flu-related hospitalizations reported to the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network for people of all ages.

For the week ending in Oct. 29, 4,326 lab-confirmed flu patients were hospitalized, according to CDC. In addition, the percentage of outpatient provider visits for an influenza-like illness was 4.3% during the week ending in Oct. 29, which is above the national baseline of 2.5%.

In total, there have been two influenza-associated pediatric deaths during the 2022-23 flu season.

So far this flu season, CDC estimates there have been at least 1.6 million flu cases, 760,000 flu medical visits, 13,000 flu hospitalizations, and 730 flu deaths.

Flu hospitalizations the highest in a decade

According to José Romero, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, rates of influenza-like illnesses in the United States are especially high for this time of year.

"In fact, we're seeing the highest influenza hospitalization rates going back a decade," Romero said.

Romero added that, while Covid-19 cases have "leveled off" in the past few weeks, the disease is "not gone," and many children are being exposed to other respiratory viruses for the first time.

However, Dawn O'Connell, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, said that while cases are high now, that doesn't necessarily mean this flu season will be more severe than in the past.

"What we know right now is that we are seeing an early season," O'Connell said. "As far as how severe the season will be … right now we're not seeing anything that would lead us to believe that it is more severe."

Vaccines for both Covid-19 and influenza are safe and effective and "protect against severe complications," Romero said, adding that vaccination is "your best protection against infection."

In addition to getting vaccinated, Romero recommended the use of "cough hygiene" as well as staying away from sick people, frequently washing your hands, and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

"People may also choose to wear a well-fitting mask as an added precaution," Romero added. (Firth, MedPage Today, 11/4; Carbajal, Becker's Hospital Review, 11/4)