Flu activity low, but increasing: 5 things to know

Flu activity increased slightly in the U.S. for the week ending Dec. 1, according to the CDC's most recent FluView report.

Here are five things to know:

1. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness fell 0.1 percent from the week prior to 2.2 percent, which represents the national baseline.   

2. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu remains low, but is increasing. The CDC confirmed 846 positive specimens for influenza A and 79 positive specimens for influenza B in the week ending Dec. 1.

3. The CDC reported 383 laboratory-confirmed flu-associated hospitalizations from Oct. 1 through Dec. 1. The overall flu-associated hospitalization rate was 1.3 per 100,000 population.

4. The agency did not confirm additional pediatric flu deaths for the week ending Dec. 1. The pediatric death toll remains at five for the 2018-19 flu season.

5. Massachusetts reported widespread flu activity for the week ending Dec. 1. Nine states reported regional flu activity; 18 states reported local flu activity; Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and 22 states reported sporadic activity; and Guam did not report flu activity.

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