The flu has caused as many as 40.1 million illnesses and 54,800 deaths this season, according to CDC estimates based on the agency’s most recent FluView report. During the 2017-18 flu season, an estimated 80,000 people died. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness decreased to 2.8 percent for the week ending April 6. However, this figure still sits above the national baseline of 2.2 percent. The agency estimates up to 18.8 million flu-related medical visits have occurred between Oct. 1, 2018 and April 6. The number of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu viruses also decreased. CDC confirmed 3,570 positive specimens for influenza A in the week ending April 6, which marks a nearly 1,000-specimen drop from the previous week. The agency also confirmed 387 positive specimens for influenza B, which is on par with the week prior.

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