Officials have issued a warning about flu cases across the state.

According to health officials, cases have spiked rapidly and Gov. Kathy Hochul says we have broken into a new level of concern.

“The amount of cases here in New York is now prevalent. That's a new category here in New York. We're up 25% in the past week. Hospitalizations are up thirty percent."

Gov. Hochul says there have also been two pediatric flu deaths.

The state Department of Health announced a new declaration – requiring health care workers who are not vaccinated against the flu to wear a mask in facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.