The 2023-24 flu season is well underway, with the U.S. seeing a higher hospitalization rate at this point in the year than eleven of the past thirteen flu seasons.
The cumulative flu hospitalization rate was 31.7 per 100,000 population for the week ending Jan. 6, according to the CDC's latest FluView report. This figure surpasses the cumulative weekly rate seen for any flu season dating back to 2010-11, with the exception of the 2014-15 and 2022-23 flu seasons. Last season, flu activity started early and hospitalizations hit a 13-year high by the end of October.
The CDC estimates there have already been 150,000 to 320,000 flu hospitalizations nationwide this season. This estimate only covers admissions through Jan. 6.
Here's how current flu hospitalization figures compare to those of past seasons, based on data from the CDC.
Note: A hospitalization estimate is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
*Estimates for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons are preliminary.
|
Season |
Cumulative hospitalization rate for week ending Jan. 6 |
Total estimated hospitalizations for the season |
|
2023- |
31.7 |
150,000 to 320,000 (through Jan. 6) |
|
2022-2023* |
56.2 |
360,000 |
|
2021-2022* |
4 |
100,000 |
|
2020- |
0.5 |
N/A |
|
2019- |
18.3 |
390,000 |
|
2018- |
11.6 |
370,000 |
|
2017- |
30.5 |
710,000 |
|
2016- |
12.2 |
500,000 |
|
2015- |
1.8 |
280,000 |
|
2014- |
38.3 |
590,000 |
|
2013- |
12.8 |
350,000 |
|
2012- |
18.8 |
570,000 |
|
2011- |
0.5 |
140,000 |
|
2010- |
3.8 |
290,000 |