The worst flu season in years is swamping California, prompting a renewed surge in hospitalizations as officials warn the disease could continue circulating at high levels for weeks to come.

This year’s flu season hit a grim milestone with deaths tied to the virus surpassing the number of COVID-related deaths in California for the first time in five years. The noteworthy milestone has the attention of health leaders.

The California Department of Public Health told SFGATE “elevated rates” of flu hospitalizations also have been reported across the state. According to the agency’s data as of Feb. 1, for every 100,000 people in California, about 10 have been hospitalized because of the flu.