The flu is walloping every corner of Massachusetts in an unusual second surge of the season, with people reporting flu-like symptoms at rates higher than any other winter peak since before COVID struck five years ago, according to state data.

Flu cases are surging this winter—this season is no joke. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that this flu season is one of the hardest-hitting seen in more than a decade.

It’s not unusual historically to see high numbers of respiratory viruses floating around during this time frame,” a UNC Health physician said.

Cases of influenza have increased across the Bay State since late December 2024, with a second surge detected in late January going into Feb. 1, according to DPH officials.

Weekly numbers show that 2% of U.S. deaths for week 5 were due to the flu. COVID was responsible for 1.5% of deaths in the nation, the numbers show.

COVID-19, according to CDC data. Rates of influenza hospitalizations are more than three times higher than COVID-19 hospitalizations amid this season's record wave of flu infections. Partial CDC data suggest that influenza deaths may have already reached as high as 2% of deaths for the week ending on Feb.