Influenza levels rose across the U.S. over the last week after a period of declining case numbers. CIDRAP has the news.
RSV and COVID-19 activity is also high in certain parts of the country. However, “overall levels of acute respiratory illness are low to moderate in most of the country, with only Alabama and Arkansas in the high category.” COVID-19 cases are unchanged since last week, but levels are growing or likely growing in 11 states; flu cases are trending upward in 13 states, and RSV cases in 21 states.
90.5% of influenza A(H3N2) viruses collected since September 28 that underwent additional genetic testing belonged to subclade K. Influenza B, meanwhile, has been gaining ground across the country. Also, for the week ending January 24, “4.7% of healthcare visits were for respiratory illness, above baseline.” The flu hospitalization rate overall has been trending downward.
Hospitalizations, however, are increasing “among infants under age 1, and ED visits among children aged 5 to 17 years are climbing.” The CDC also noted that “national COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccine uptake is low for both adults and children.”
