Flu activity increases across nation, tips to avoid getting sick

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this year’s flu season is one of the most intense they’ve seen in years.

In all, 26 states are reporting high flu activity.

Even with people getting a flu shot, many are still getting the flu.

Just Tuesday, the Connecticut Health Department confirmed that a 10-year-old boy was the first child in the state to die of flu-related illness this season. In California, a marathon runner died two days after she was diagnosed.

CDC says flu activity has increased and is blamed for another 10 child deaths, bringing the total to 30 kids killed this season https://t.co/Z8UwlyICFZ pic.twitter.com/8jMkJzuk0v

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 19, 2018

More: The flu is hitting the US and Southwest Florida HARD

As of Thursday morning, the Florida Health Department reported Lee County has mild flu activity while Charlotte and Collier counties have moderate activity.

A partial restriction was implemented on Jan. 5 for portions of Lee Health hospitals. The updated restriction is in effect until further notice and applies to the following Lee Health hospitals:

• Cape Coral Hospital
• Gulf Coast Medical Center
• HealthPark Medical Center
• Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
• Lee Memorial Hospital.

More: Lee Health increases visitation restrictions for children amid flu spike

WTSP reported about 6,000 students have cold or flu-like symptoms in Hillsborough County, according to district spokesperson Tanya Arja. The total represents about 3 percent of the district’s student population.

Widespread influenza across Maine has prompted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland to alter some traditions to keep parishioners healthy.

The diocese announced Thursday that it’s suspending the sharing of consecrated wine during communion and holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer. The diocese is also discouraging parishioners from shaking hands while greeting each other during the passing of the peace.

More: Babies and children hit particularly hard by the flu

Other specific guidance calls for priests to place the host into worshippers’ hands instead of on their tongues during communion, and to use hand sanitizer before and after communion.

The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there’s “widespread” flu activity.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urges priests to practice good hygiene and sick parishioners to do what they can not to spread the flu.

A simple sneeze can spread the flu virus much farther than you might think.

But how to avoid to getting the flu in the first place?