January 6, 2026- Flu cases are continuing to rise this respiratory season across the U.S., with all but four states showing high or very high levels of activity as a new virus strain called subclade K continues to spread, according to CNN. For the week ending Dec. 27, the CDC reported that nearly 1 in 10 outpatient visits nationwide — 8.2% — were for flu-like illnesses. That’s the highest logged since the CDC started tracking such visits in 1997. The flu has accounted for more than 11 million illnesses this season and 120,000 hospitalizations, according to NBC News.