Flu hospitalizations climb for 3rd week in a row: 7 notes

For the third straight week, flu hospitalizations have climbed in the U.S., according to new CDC data.

For the week ending Nov. 18, 3,296 patients with laboratory-confirmed flu cases were admitted to a hospital — up from 2,721 the week prior. Influenza A continues to be the dominant strain, still making up 79.4% of cases. Influenza B currently accounts for 20.6% of cases. 

Here are five other notes:

  • For the 2023-2024 flu season, the CDC estimates there have been 1.2 million illnesses, 12,000 hospitalizations, and 740 deaths from flu.

  • Two states are experiencing "very high" flu activity, as of Nov. 18: Louisiana and South Carolina.

  • Nine states and one city are experiencing "high" flu activity as of Nov. 18: Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, California, Colorado and New York City.

  • There are still 25 states and territories reporting minimal flu activity at this time.
  • Outpatient respiratory illnesses have also climbed for a third week, according to the agency, 3.7% of healthcare visits were reported to be for this reason.

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