With data showing a significant rise in flu cases nationwide, medical experts are describing it as the worst flu season since before the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been over 24 million flu cases nationwide this season,

The United States is seeing a second peak in flu cases this season. After doctor’s office visits for flu dipped early this year, they jumped past the previous season peak at the end of last month, with a 30% test positivity rate — and there are still months to go.

Flu cases had previously peaked this season at the very end of December. At week 52 —ending on December 28—the percentage of outpatient visits related to influenza-like illnesses (ILI) hit about 6.76 percent,

Flu cases are spiking in Western Pennsylvania as the region’s doctors treat high numbers of patients stricken with the seasonal respiratory illness. Dr. Amy Crawford-Faucher, a family physician and chair of the Allegheny Health Network Primary Care Institute,

The U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in 15 years. One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Illinois in the high category for flu cases, and across the Chicago area, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and ICU admissions for the flu are currently higher than the peak of last season.

The U.S. is experiencing its most intense flu season in 15 years, with 24 million infections, 310,000 hospitalisations, and 13,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.