At least 180,000 people have been hospitalized because of the flu, and activity has seen a slight increase as of Jan. 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly FluView report.

The center currently categorizes flu activity as high in Pennsylvania and widespread, meaning influenza cases have been confirmed across at least half the state. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has recorded about 48,000 influenza-like illnesses in the state, with hospitalizations hovering just over 1,000 and deaths, 33.

Locally, Carbon has seen more than 300 cases of the flu. Monroe has recorded 761, while Schuylkill has documented 1,190.

The CDC says people over 65, young children and pregnant women among those at high risk for flu-related complications. Health officials agree that the best way to protect against influenza is to get vaccinated; the center calls vaccines the “single best way to prevent seasonal flu.”

But along with being vaccinated, the CDC recommends avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying at home if you are, washing your hands often and maintaining a healthy lifestyle — so rest and eat well.

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny nose and soreness. But complications like pneumonia can develop. Those who are considered at high risk for complications should contact their physicians early on, the CDC recommends.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health monitors influenza activity throughout the year, but ramps up surveillance activities in the fall and winter. The official influenza surveillance season starts with the 40th week of the year (typically around the beginning of October) and ends on the 20th week of the following year (in May). For the current season, the influenza surveillance season began on Sept. 29, 2019, and will run through May 16, 2020.

Flu activity has decreased slightly over the past week but is still high.

The code for the geographic spread is “widespread” for week 4 that ended on Jan. 25, which is the highest on a scale of five geographic spread levels

Influenza B is the most detected flu virus, however strains of influenza A cocirculate in the community. The predominant viruses vary by region of the state and age group.

A total of 48,510 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases have been reported season to date.