Plenty of patients have been coming in for treatment for the flu at Reading Hospital.On Tuesday, the hospital in West Reading opened its alternate flu site, where patients with influenza-like illnesses were sent for treatment near the emergency room, said Dr. Charles Barbera, chairman of Reading Hospital's emergency department.

"Getting information to people about how severe the flu can be, particularly for vulnerable populations, is important as well as sharing ways to help prevent the spread", Manfrin said. "The peak is at different points in different years and so this we, of course, do not know if we have hit the peak yet".

"Flu is incredibly complex and hard to predict and this season is a somber reminder of why flu is one of the world's greatest public health challenges, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the principle deputy director at the CDC, in a teleconference briefing".

The flu-related deaths of three more people, including a child, were reported to the state this week, raising the toll from the current flu season to 125.

The flu season is December through February, and the shot many people have received during this time is only 10 percent effective.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention released the new data on Wednesday, bringing the total for this season - which began last October and runs through May but is nearing its peak - to nearly 3,300 cases, as well as 667 hospitalizations and 34 deaths. Of those, 1,270 were reported in Horry County, while another 482 were confirmed in Georgetown County.

In addition, there have been reports of 56,000 flu-like diseases in the state thus far this year. The spring frequently has a separate peak of flu activity, Martin said.

Flu cases have gotten so bad in Vernon, police are even responding to calls, so town officials chose to hold this clinic. If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

The Health Department has recorded more than 36,000 positive flu tests in Arkansas since October 1.

It remains a nuisance, but the flu's momentum locally and statewide waned a bit over the past week, according to S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reports.

While most who contract the flu virus may recover within a few days, some will go on to have a more severe case that could lead to hospitalization and even death.

The Bern Township hospital campus has not had to add a separate flu clinic, but officials have discussed that contingency plan. "We're still on the rise".