PITTSFIELD — As the holiday season comes to a close, flu cases are spiking across the state, prompting local health care providers to remind residents to wash hands, stay hydrated and stay home when feeling unwell.

The uptick in cases is following the traditional pattern of the winter months, bringing with it a rise in flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases as cold, dry air makes it easier for the viruses to spread.

“Three to four weeks ago, we had no flu and now we’re at 9 percent positivity," said James Lederer, the chief medical officer at Berkshire Health Systems. “So the flu is making a more dramatic increase in these last few weeks.”

In recent months, the positivity rate of COVID-19 tests has crept up from 2 percent to now 8 percent, but the flu has now overtaken COVID-19 in positive results at BHS, Lederer said. As of Monday afternoon, five patients are hospitalized with the flu, a number he expects to rise as the season progresses.

Patients are coming in with “classic” flu symptoms — fever, head and body aches, congestion and extreme fatigue.

State data shows influenza-like illness activity was very high from Dec. 14 to Dec. 20, with 7.46 percent of visits for flu-like symptoms compared to a baseline of 2.2 percent. Influenza during that week was considered to have moderate severity.

Influenza A is dominating nationally, according to the Boston Globe. Hospitals typically test for influenza A or B, but not subtypes. A strain called subclade K, a subvariant of H3N2 subtype of influenza A, caused a spike in European countries over the last few weeks, but it's too early to know if that's what the Massachusetts cases are.

About 1 in 3 Massachusetts residents has received a flu shot this season, the Globe reported.

The timing of flu season can vary, but it often peaks around the holidays, when people gather in larger groups and travel more frequently. Limiting outings when feeling sick is the best way to slow the spread.

“Recognizing that COVID and the flu are out there together and we’ve been seeing with COVID is it seems to be much more mild than it has been historically,” Lederer said. “So if you have low-grade temp, minor symptoms, it could be COVID or it could be the flu.”

Patients deciding whether to seek medical care should consider how they feel, their specific concerns and any underlying health conditions before heading to a doctor or urgent care.

For those without breathing difficulties or other serious symptoms, the flu can often be managed at home with rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications like Tylenol for fever.

“You can manage it at home as many will,” Lederer said. “But if you do have underlying health concerns, underlying chronic conditions, or you feel worse than you’ve normally felt having had symptoms like this, then you should get attention."

For extra precaution or if feeling unwell, avoid large crowds and wear masks, Lederer reminds people.

“It’s the same thing that we’ve been saying since the start of COVID,” Lederer said.

He added it's important to continue to stay home until you feel better and try to limit exposure to other people in the home by staying away or wearing a mask.

“If you are ill, stay home,” Lederer said. “If you’re not ill, hand hygiene, social distance and if you do need to go into a more condensed or congestive setting, then masking can be helpful. If you're well, try and stay well.”