VIDEO: Latest on tripledemic and holiday gatherings

(NBC) - NBC'S Sam Brock reports on the latest concerning the Tripledemic and the impact of holiday gatherings.

The next few weeks might be a critical turning point - for a country's fight with not one, not two, but three different viruses.

New numbers from the CDC show early signs the flu may have peaked but that's far from a guarantee.

At the same time, COVID infections are climbing - right as so many of us are sitting down to spend time with our loved ones.

NBC's Sam Brock has more.

It's the most wonderful time of the year to see family - but unfortunately the holidays have also proved fertile ground for transmitting viruses - and many Americans are all too aware.

Barbara Shale who is celebrating with friends says, "I'm vaccinated and boosted and even got the flu vaccine."

"We try to be safe, try not to see a lot of people during this time, so we can actually be with our loved ones," says Antonio.

Those all-important get-togethers are coming at a time when hospitalizations for the flu have fallen for two consecutive weeks...though seasonal activity remains high according to the CDC.

And COVID infections are beginning to gather steam.

Over the last two weeks, COVID hospitalizations are up 7 percent, and deaths up 15 percent.

The places with the biggest change in hospitalized patients span the map.

From Delaware, D.C., and New Hampshire in the East to Louisiana in the South and Wyoming in the West - where figures jumped more than 40% in a week.

At Miami's largest health care system, Jackson Health, "It's essentially quadrupled..."

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hany Atallah says there's been a significant uptick in patients - just in recent weeks.

Sam Brock asks, what are the trend lines that you're seeing here at Jackson health?

"We saw Covid was in the in the teens, maybe three, four weeks ago, it was relatively low....We saw that number jump up to the mid to high 90s. About a week ago or so," says Dr. Hany Atallah, CMA, Jackson Health.

And with Americans crisscrossing the country, many fighting weather and coughs, the best option may be to assume those you travel around in the next couple weeks, are sick.

Sam Brock asks, On the return trip home, and also in those first few days going back to school back to work. What kind of advice do you have for people?

"If you're traveling nowadays, make sure you're wearing a mask. Obviously, it's even better if you're wearing a mask and have a vaccine. You know, if you can schedule travel at times where it's a less busy travel time, which of course is difficult this time of season, that's a good idea as well," says Dr. Hany Atallah.

Even now, medical experts say getting a flu shot or a COVID booster - could make a big difference.