The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been at least 33 million illnesses, 430,000 hospitalizations and 19,000 deaths during this flu season.

In Connecticut, the state Department of Public Health says there were almost as many flu cases as COVID-19 cases, almost 30,000, as of Saturday. But the state says flu cases are far outpacing COVID at emergency rooms and in terms of hospitalizations.

Dr. Ryan O'Connell at St. Vincent's Medical Center says he is seeing a much higher number of flu cases than several weeks ago. He says flu shots have cut down on how long the flu lasts.

"About two-thirds of people who get a flu shot are going to be protected because the strain that's out there – it is an educated guess based on numerous years in the past and there's also some cross protectiveness from previous vaccinations," said O'Connell.

Doctors say, on average, this flu strain for people has been lasting about two weeks. Some patients are reporting long-term side effects.

Symptoms include high fever, sore throat, heavy congestion and body aches.

According to the CDC, flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter. While influenza viruses spread year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February.