Sixteen more children died from the flu in the past week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday, bringing the total number of pediatric flu-related deaths this season to 53.

In the week that ended Jan. 27, the CDC reported the highest number of hospitalizations in eight years, and the season is getting worse.

The report said flu activity is widespread in 48 states and Puerto Rico. That number is a slight improvement from last week, when 49 states had widespread activity.

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Almost the entire country has been hit by the flu at the same time, which officials said was unusual. Flu season began in October.

People die from the flu every year, but the numbers vary. According to the CDC, influenza-associated deaths in the United States have ranged from a low of 12,000 during 2011-2012 to a high of 56,000 during 2012-2013.

Hospitalizations also vary widely depending on the severity of the season. As few as 140,000 were hospitalized during 2011-2012, while as many as 710,000 were hospitalized during the 2014-2015 season, the CDC said.

During the 2015-2016 flu season, the CDC estimated that 310,000 people were hospitalized for flu-related illness.