The final respiratory illness data for the last week of 2024 (ending December 28) show that influenza is trending ahead of both COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus among children and adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a hospitalization rate of 4.3 per 100,000. Flu’s positivity rate was up 18.7% over the previous week, and the overall percentage of emergency department visits with a discharge diagnosis of influenza was 5.2%—compared to 3.2% the previous week. In addition, 2 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported on the week for a total of 11 pediatric deaths this season so far. Overall, total flu deaths have reached 2,700 for the season.
As one might expect: The flu positivity levels in the final week of December 2024 were similar to the peak numbers from the previous respiratory virus season, indicating the United States may have reached its peak for this season just in time for the new year.