The CDC announced that more than 30 children have died from the flu and warned that the virus is one of the worst on record.
Another 14,401 people got sick last week and hospitalizations have climbed up from 22.7 per 100,000 the prior week to 31.5 - the highest rate since 2010.
As a result some Catholic churches are altering their religious practices to reduce the spread. The churches will restrict worshipers from drinking from the same wine cup during communion and holding hands during prayer.
Priests have been told to greet churchgoers verbally rather than shake hands and church officials are urging parishioners to stay home if they feel sick.