| The flu season is still expanding across the USA, not as bad as 2009 swine flu.
Not since the 2009 pandemic has the United States seen such a widespread -- and increasingly deadly -- outbreak of influenza.
Minnie Hamilton CEO Steve Whited said, "We continue to see some flu activity (certainly an increase from last year). We continuously monitor this, as well as interact with the health department and the State on current conditions."
"Always use standard precautionary measures: wash your hands regularly, perform elbow cough (use your elbow instead of your hand to cover mouth when coughing), disinfect surfaces, keep hydrated (drink plenty of water). If you are feeling bad, make sure you see your medical provider," Whited said.
This flu season surpasses every winter flu season since 2003, when the government changed the way it measures flu.
This season started early and has been driven by a nasty type of flu that tends to put more people in the hospital and cause more deaths.
But its long-lasting intensity has surprised experts, who are still sorting out why it's been so bad.
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