Ill. reports high flu activity, CDC says nation at epidemic threshold

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois is reporting high flu activity and the CDC says the U.S. has hit the flu epidemic threshold nationwide.

According to the CDC, the proportion of deaths reported in 122 U.S. cities from pneumonia and influenza surpassed the seasonal baseline and currently stands at the epidemic threshold of 6.8 percent. The number of states reporting high flu activity has also increased from 13 to 22.

Illinois is one of the states reporting high flu activity and, using CDC guidelines, classifies flu activity as widespread. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 115 influenza-associated ICU admissions were reported in the last week, as were 34 influenza outbreaks. There have been 323 total flu-associated ICU admissions in Illinois this season.