A new flu variant is sweeping across the United States, causing millions of reported cases and doubling the number of hospitalizations in a surge doctors say may not end for weeks.
Flu activity is at "high" or "very high" levels in 32 states and jurisdictions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's report Dec. 30. That's an increase from 17 states reported in the previous week. Since the flu season began in October, at least 7.5 million people have contracted the illness.
Hospitalizations nearly doubled in just one week, climbing to 19,053 from 9,944 the week before, based on CDC data. About 3,100 deaths have been reported. Additionally, the count of pediatric deaths has increased to five, up from two the week before.
Influenza A(H3N2) viruses are the most frequently reported flu viruses this season.
Among the states with the highest levels of flu activity are Colorado, Louisiana, South Carolina, New Jersey and New York, according to the CDC.
