LOS ANGELES, CA — Nationwide, the flu season went into overdrive with a dramatic spike in the final week of the year. In California alone, eight people died from the flu between Christmas and New Year's Day, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday also reported a dramatic spike in flu cases during the last week of December. Government health officials say 2019 total flu cases through Dec. 28 led to at least 6.4 million illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths. For comparison, the CDC reported a total of 4.6 million illnesses, 39,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths in its weekly report ending on Dec. 21.

So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most illnesses are the result of the influenza B/Victoria viruses, which the agency said varies by region and age group. The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus, but seasonal influenza activity throughout the nation has been climbing for seven weeks in a row. The latest data from the agency shows that the virus has been widespread or striking regionally in 45 states, including California. In every region of the state, flu activity is high, and outbreaks began ramping up in early December, according to the California Department of Public Health.

California health officials have identified 16 outbreaks since the start of the flu season Sept. 29. Flu cases, hospitalizations and flu deaths are all higher than anticipated, according to the health department. So far this flu season, there have been 54 deaths determined to have been caused by influenza in California. The groups most at risk of the flu are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, according to the CDC. In California, the majority of flu deaths have occured in patients 65-years-old or older.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include: