Flu numbers are on the rise across New York state, according to the latest report from the New York State Department of Health.

The new DOH report shows there were nearly 1,000 more hospitalizations than the previous week.

There were a total of more than 4,500 hospitalizations.

DOH Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said this is a more severe flu season than prior years. 

“We are having a more severe flu season than prior years, almost 1,000 more people were admitted to a hospital during this most recent seven-day period compared to the prior week,” McDonald said. “There is still time to get a flu shot and remember, flu can be treated with antiviral medication if started within 48 hours of symptom onset and your doctor deems appropriate.”

The end of December saw the most recorded flu cases reported over a seven-day period since data was made available in 2004. 

Nationally, government data posted Monday that flu activity through the week of Christmas show some measurements are already surpassing the flu epidemic of last winter. Forty-five states reported high or very high flu activity, including Maine, Michigan, South Carolina and Georgia.

Influenza A virus subtype H3N2 is the strain most frequently reported, which is known for delivering more severe illness.

Symptoms include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, tiredness, vomiting or diarrhea — even though it is more common in children.

The latest Respiratory Surveillance Report and Flu Tracker can be found here.