High or very high levels of flu activity across the nation
A look at new flu data with Your Local Epidemiologist
Today I’m joined by Your Local Epidemiologist for a look at the new flu season data that was released this week. You can find our previous collaborations here and here.
Any hope that flu season was slowing down evaporated with this week’s update. In other words, this flu season is shaping up to be a big one.
Last week, 1 in 13 visits to the doctor were for influenza-like illness—the highest it’s been in years and a large increase compared to prior weeks. (Influenza-like illness includes both influenza and other infections that cause fever and cough or sore throat, but not likely COVID-19.)
The positive trend among children that we saw last week has reversed. All age groups showed a significant rise, with notable acceleration in preschool and school-age children. Among 0-4 year olds, 1 in 6 visits to the doctor were for ILI. This has been a very rough winter already for children, with overwhelmed pediatric hospitals, school outbreaks, and shortages of over the counter medications. It looks like us parents are still in the thick of it.
The U.S. influenza transmission map is dramatic. The whole country is experiencing “high” or “very high” levels of activity. Don’t take comfort if you live in one of the few “green” jurisdictions, as flu is everywhere.
Unfortunately, severe disease is following. Nearly 20,000 new admissions occurred last week, which is almost double the week prior. Hospitalization rates are highest in people in young children and older adults.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 is taking a turn for the worse as well. The number of new hospitalizations is spiking, especially in people ages 70+. Test positivity is also surging, another troubling indicator that we are headed into a new wave.
It is not too late to get your vaccinations, if you haven’t already. It looks like the flu shot will be a good match this year. We are also wearing high-quality masks indoors. If you’re sick, please stay home. More holidays (and parties and travel) are coming up, and we want everyone to be as healthy as possible.
“Force of Infection” is written by Caitlin Rivers, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University and former founding member of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Your Local Epidemiologist” is written by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, biostatistician, wife, and mom of two little girls. During the day she works at a nonpartisan health policy think tank, and at night she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well equipped to make evidence-based decisions.
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