continue? david? >> pierre thomas with us, as well, tonight. next, this evening, new concerns over the deadly flu epidemic. doctors in the northeast say the rapid flu tests that help diagnose quickly are now in short supply, as well. and in new hampshire tonight, a mother of four dying of flu complications. she had decided against taking anti-viral medication that doctors say often help shorten the duration and severity of the symptoms. here's abc's linsey davis, on this again tonight. >> reporter: hospitals and clinics across the country now trying to stave off what officials are calling one of the worst flu seasons in nearly a decade with the best defense possible -- free flu shots. in new york -- would you characterize it as a severe flu season? >> yeah, it's severe now. it certainly is severe now. >> reporter: nearly 8,000 confirmed cases of the flu last week in new york state. close to 2,000 patients hospitalized. this doctor tells us those rapid tests used to quickly diagnose the flu are in short supply in the new york area.