The winter virus season in the United States is in full swing and is already considered the most intense in the last 15 years.
An indicator of flu activity is the percentage of medical visits motivated by flu-like symptoms. Last week, this number was clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, when a swine flu pandemic hit the country, according to data published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Of course, other viral infections can be confused with the flu. But COVID-19 appears to be on the decline, according to hospital and CDC data. Available data also suggest that another respiratory illness, RSV, is disappearing nationally.
The flu is so intense that it has already forced the closure of schools in some states. The Godley Independent School District, a system with 3,200 students near Fort Worth, Texas, closed last week for three days after 650 students and 60 staff members were diagnosed with the flu, and a minority with some other viruses.
So far this season, the CDC estimates there have been at least 24 million cases of the flu, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths — including at least 57 children. Traditionally, the peak of the flu season occurs in February.
Overall, 43 states reported high or very high flu activity last week. The flu was most intense in the Southern, Southwestern, and Western states.
U.S. health authorities recommend that everyone aged 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. Ideally, it should be taken in September or October, the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.
About 44% of adults received flu vaccines this winter, the same as last winter. But coverage for children has dropped significantly, by about 45%. It usually hovers around 50%, according to CDC data.
Only about 23% of U.S. adults were up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines by the end of January, up from about 20% during the same period the previous year. COVID-19 vaccination rates for children were nearly the same, at around just 12%.
Source: CNN