Cases of influenza are on the rise in Maine, with the number of positive tests and hospitalizations each hitting season-high numbers last week, according to new data from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maine CDC data shows 51 hospitalizations for the week ending Feb. 3. It is the highest recorded number since the flu season began in October 2023. The number of positive tests, 797, also represents the highest recorded number in a single week since the season began.

Outpatient visits related to the flu, expressed in a percentage, are also up. According to Maine CDC, the figure reached 3.24%, which is close to the highest percentage recorded.

Maine CDC also reported 10 outbreaks of influenza in the week ending Feb. 3. Maine CDC defines an outbreak as two or more people exhibiting symptoms in the same school or long-term care facility within 72 hours.  

To date, Maine has had 35 outbreaks of the disease statewide this season. 

So far, there have been 16 influenza-related deaths this season, but Maine CDC data shows no new deaths in the week ending Feb. 3.