The flu grows to the 15-year high in the US-while NYC sees the largest number of cases in 5 years

A second wave of flu is spreading throughout the country, with visits by doctors for flu -like symptoms at their highest level in 15 years, according to national data.

Nearly 8% of health care visits last week were for respiratory disease-higher since 2009-2010 when pig flu rocked the place-nearly 50,000 patients were hospitalized with the virus, according to disease control centers and prevention data.

Approximately one -third – 32% – of the flu tests turned positive, the data show. At the height of last year’s flu season, which runs from October to May, less than one to five, about 18%, the tests turned out to be positive.

The CDC estimated that there have been 24 million cases of flu so far this season, leading to 310,000 hospitalization and 13,000 deaths.

Forty -five states, including New York, remained in the “high” or “very high” category for flu activity, according to the latest data. They were higher in the southern, western and southwestern states.

Schools in at least 10 countries across the JSC have been forced to close because of the virus, as hundreds of children and staff were ill, according to reports.

There were more than 53,000 positive flu cases and 3,000 hospital hospitalizations in Empire State in the week that ended on February 1, a small increase from the previous week, the State Health Department said.

Spreads on hospitals and nursing homes breaks 19% compared to a week ago. So far this season, there have been 513 explosions in hospitals and nursing homes in the state.

There were more than 22,000 positive cases of influenza A and B in the Big Apple last week, a small drop from the week before – but most in the last five years, according to the city’s health department. There were about half of the number of cases at the same time last year.

Two children died of flu -related diseases in the city, doing three so far this season. In the state, there were nine pediatric deaths associated with the flu and 57 across the country.

The NYC Health Department this week encouraged New Yorkers to vaccinate against the flu between the latest growth, especially children under 5, people over 65 and pregnant women.

Very contagious RSV is falling into most areas of the country, including in New York City, where there was a 16% decrease last week.

Covid-19 cases, which are also raised in most parts of the country, were also declining.