Flu has killed 20,000, CDC estimates

The CDC estimates flu has caused 34 million illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths this season, according to the agency's most recent FluView report.

Five things to know:

1. The percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for flu and the percentage of outpatient visits for flu-like illness decreased for the third week in a row but remain elevated.

2. The agency confirmed 11 additional pediatric flu deaths in the week ending Feb. 29, bringing the total to 136 for the 2019-20 flu season.

3. Forty states experienced high flu-like illness activity in the week ending Feb. 29, three fewer than a week prior. Seven states experienced moderate activity, and Idaho experienced low activity. Arizona and Florida reported minimal activity.

4. The overall flu hospitalization rate was 57.9 per 100,000 population for the week ending Feb. 29, up from 52.7 per 100,000 a week prior.

5. Flu activity remained widespread in every state but Hawaii and Oregon for the week ending Feb. 29.

More articles on public health:
New Hampshire's first coronavirus patient ignored orders to self-isolate
Maine voters keep law banning nonmedical exemptions for vaccinations
Ebola outbreak nears end after 19 months



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