The 2022-2023 flu season is well underway, with the U.S. seeing the highest hospitalization rates in more than a decade.
The cumulative flu hospitalization rate was 32.7 per 100,000 population for the week ending Dec. 10, according to the CDC's latest FluView report. This figure is higher than any other cumulative hospitalization rate seen during this week over the past 12 flu seasons, CDC data shows.
The CDC estimates there have already been 150,000 to 330,000 flu hospitalizations nationwide this season. The high end of this estimate, which only covers admissions through Dec. 10, surpasses cumulative hospitalization totals for four of the past 12 flu seasons.
Early signs suggest flu may peak early in the U.S. this season, though health experts caution the upcoming holiday season could spur another uptick in activity.
Here's how current flu hospitalization figures compare to past seasons, based on data from the CDC.
Note: A total hospitalization estimate is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
|
Season |
Cumulative hospitalization rate for week ending Dec. 10 |
Total estimated hospitalizations for the season |
|
2022-2023 |
32.7 |
150,000–330,000 (through Dec. 10) |
|
2021-2022* |
1.1 |
100,000 |
|
2020-2021 |
0.3 |
N/A |
|
2019-2020 |
4.4 |
390,000 |
|
2018-2019 |
2.5 |
380,000 |
|
2017-2018 |
5.1 |
710,000 |
|
2016-2017 |
2.3 |
500,000 |
|
2015-2016 |
0.8 |
280,000 |
|
2014-2015 |
5 |
590,000 |
|
2013-2014 |
2.7 |
350,000 |
|
2012-2013 |
3.4 |
570,000 |
|
2011-2012 |
0.2 |
140,000 |
|
2010-2011 |
1.2 |
290,000 |
*Estimates for the 2021-2022 season are preliminary.