The flu severity level in the state had increased to “very high,” health officials in Massachusetts said Friday.
The increase comes as the percentage of visits to health care facilities for influenza-like illnesses continued to increase and remained higher than the previous two years during the same week, the department of Public Health said in a statement.
Flu severity level takes into consideration influenza-like illness, hospitalization and positive test results for the flu, the department said.
According to health officials, the percent of influenza-associated hospitalizations in Massachusetts has continued to increase in recent weeks.
"All influenza strains that have been characterized in Massachusetts this season to date are covered by the current influenza vaccine," the department said.
