Additionally, the mortality rate due to flu has now reached parity with the rate of deaths caused by COVID-19, possibly marking the first time this has occurred since the onset of the COVID pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that this season has seen over 24 million cases of flu, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths. Notably, there have been at least 57 deaths of children related to flu during this season, with 10 occurring just in the week ending on February 1.
Although flu vaccines are readily available for both children and adults, vaccination coverage remains disappointingly low. The CDC has expressed concern that many individuals are not adequately protected against respiratory virus infections due to insufficient vaccination rates. Data shows that only 45% of adults aged 18 and older and 45.7% of children have been vaccinated against flu this season.
Furthermore, the CDC has reported that respiratory illness activity nationwide is currently classified as “very high.” Presently, 12 states are categorized as “very high” and 19 states as “high.” In comparison, the previous week saw seven states listed as “very high” and 20 as “high.”
Despite the prevalence of elevated COVID-19 activity in many regions of the U.S., the CDC’s data indicates that emergency department visits are at low levels and the percentage of positive laboratory tests is decreasing. Respiratory syncytial virus activity in most U.S. areas is described as “elevated” but on the decline.
According to the CDC, flu-related doctors’ visits are at their highest point in 15 years, marking the most significant number since the swine flu pandemic.
