New York, Feb. 8 (BNA): The U.S. winter virus season is in full force, and by one measure is the most intense in 15 years.

One indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctor’s office visits driven by flu-like symptoms. Last week, that number was clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, when a swine flu pandemic hit the nation, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

other viral infections can be mistaken for flu. But COVID-19 appears to be on the decline, according to hospital data and to CDC modeling projections.

The flu has forced schools to shut down in some states. The Godley Independent School District, a 3,200-student system near Fort Worth, Texas, last week closed for three days after 650 students and 60 staff were out Tuesday.

So far this season, the CDC estimates, there have been at least 24 million flu illnesses, 310,000 hospitalisations and 13,000 deaths — including at least 57 children. Traditionally, flu season peaks around February.

ZH