Over 5,000 new Pennsylvania flu cases reported last week - abc27 WHTM

There have been 5,059 new cases of the flu and 18 flu-related death in Pennsylvania this week -- and Pennsylvania Health Department officials say the season has not yet reached it's peak.

"Activity may continue until March, it is not too late to get vaccinated," the department wrote on their website.

Of the flu-related deaths reported between January 5 and 19, five were in the midstate. There was one flu-related death in Cumberland County, three in Lancaster County and one in York County.

This brings the season deaths toll statewide to 40.

The flu appears to be hitting the elderly population the hardest with 67 being the median age for those hospitalized with flu-like symptoms. Those over the age of 65 also account for about 90 percent of flu-related deaths in the state.

When compared to the number of people hospitalized for flu-related issues last week, the number hospitalized this past week was slightly lower. In total, 433 flu-related hospitalizations were reported between January 5 and 13.

Though hospitalizations have decreased slightly, the flu is classified as widespread by the state health department. This is the highest possible level of flu activity.

The state also recorded 52 flu-related outbreaks statewide between January 5 and 14.