Flu hangs on in US, fading in some areas and intensifying in others

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Friday showed a continued national drop in flu hospitalizations, but other indicators were up — including the number of states with high or very high levels for respiratory illnesses. “A couple of regions haven’t peaked yet.” Flu-like illnesses seem to be proliferating in the Midwest, and last week were at high levels in 23 states — up from 18 the week before, CDC officials said. That's happened in other flu seasons, with the second peak often — but not always — lower than the first, Budd said.