For the week ending Feb. 8, the weekly flu hospitalization rate was 9.6 per 100,000 population — nearly three times higher than the rate seen during the same period last season. This marks the highest weekly hospitalization rate recorded since at least 2010, according to the CDC’s historical data.
So far this season, the CDC estimates there have been 370,000 to 820,000 flu-related hospitalizations nationwide. The surge in illnesses has strained hospital emergency departments nationwide in recent weeks.
Here’s how current hospitalization figures compare to those from past flu seasons, based on data from the CDC.
Note: Hospitalization data is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
|
Season |
||
|
2024-2025* |
9.6 |
370,000 to 820,000 (through Feb. 1) |
|
2023-2024* |
3.5 |
470,000 |
|
2022-2023* |
0.3 |
370,000 |
|
2021-2022 |
0.2 |
120,000 |
|
2020-2021 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
2019-2020 |
6 |
380,000 |
|
2018-2019 |
3.5 |
380,000 |
|
2017-2018 |
7 |
700,000 |
|
2016-2017 |
4.7 |
500,000 |
|
2015-2016 |
1.2 |
280,000 |
|
2014-2015 |
2 |
590,000 |
|
2013-2014 |
1.8 |
350,000 |
|
2012-2013 |
2 |
570,000 |
|
2011-2012 |
0.2 |
140,000 |
|
2010-2011 |
1.6 |
290,000 |
*Estimates for the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons are preliminary.
See how flu cases compared to past seasons here and how flu deaths compare here.