Five stats from the CDC’s report:
1. Influenza caused 37.4-42.9 million symptomatic illnesses, 17.3-20.1 million medical visits, 531,000-647,000 hospitalizations and 36,400-61,200 deaths in the U.S. from Oct. 1, 2018, to May 4, 2019.
2. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses remained above the national baseline of 2.2 percent from November 2018 until the week ending April 20, which recorded 2.1 percent.
3. A total of 116 pediatric deaths related to influenza were reported from Sept. 30, 2018, to May 18, 2019.
4. A total of 18,847 hospitalizations related to influenza were reported from Oct. 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019. About 47 percent of those hospitalized were 65 years and older. Hospitalization rates peaked during the week ending March 16.
5. The number of jurisdictions reporting widespread influenza activity peaked at 50 during the week ending Feb. 23, 2019. For context, 50 states, eight U.S. territories and freely associated states and the District of Columbia report weekly influenza activity.
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