Flu activity surged in the United States during the final week of January with healthcare visits for respiratory virus symptoms reaching a notably high level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu test positivity rose to 31.6%, and outpatient visits for flu-like illness climbed to 7.8%, staying above the national baseline for the 10th consecutive week. Flu activity remains high or very high across most of the country. The CDC estimates there have been 24 million infections, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths this season. Emergency department visits for flu are also very high, particularly among children, yet rising hospitalizations are affecting all age groups. Additionally, 10 more pediatric flu deaths were reported. For the week ending January 25, nearly 1.7% of all deaths nationwide were attributed to the flu, compared to 1.5% of deaths attributed to COVID-19—a milestone not seen since before the start of the pandemic.
Holding out for the peak: Viewing the seasonal chart depicting the percentage of positive flu tests on the CDC update page, it’s evident that flu might have yet to reach its peak. Flu vaccines are often recommended early in the fall but are still an option for those who have not received a vaccine yet.
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