Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Nearly 18 million people have been sickened by flu this season, with 2 million reported in the past week alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
The CDC's weekly report said 17.8 million cases of influenza have now been reported since October. Although the agency regards the 2018-2019 season as one of "low severity," flu has been a factor in up to 19,100 deaths, 221,000 hospitalizations and 8.4 million outpatient medical visits. At least 34 pediatric deaths have been reported.