Flu cases continue to rise across the country, and Georgia is now seeing some of the highest activity nationwide, according to new state and federal data.

Georgia health officials expect flu cases to rise​ as people return to work and class, and schools are doing what they can to prevent the spread.

So far this season, 29 people have died from the flu in Georgia, according to the latest numbers from the Georgia Department of Public Health. DPH released their weekly flu update on Monday, which showed that seven people died from the flu during the week of Dec. 27. There were more than 500 hospitalizations from the flu reported that week alone.

At least 11 million people have gotten sick, and 5,000 people have died from the flu this season. Here's what Georgia is experiencing.

The numbers aren’t just rising either; Georgia’s flu numbers are already quite high.

Vaccine urgings from Georgia public health and CDC follow reports that flu cases had increased by a third nationally for the week ending Dec. 27.