The influenza positivity rate in the U.S. fell to 18.6% during the week ending Jan. 10, down from 24.7% the previous week. At the same time, the deaths attributed to influenza rose to 2.1% from 1.9%, according to CDC data published Jan. 16.
Some hospitals are postponing elective procedures to preserve capacity as a severe flu season pushes admissions higher and fills emergency departments across the U.S.
Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger hospitals in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties are operating at capacity levels not seen since COVID-19, according to a Jan. 16 report from The Times Tribune.
Here are five things to know from the CDC’s latest FluView report:
- With 15 additional deaths, the number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths nearly doubled during the week ending Jan. 10.
A total of 32 Influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported to the CDC during the 2025-2026 flu season. Of all reported pediatric deaths this season, 90% have occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated against influenza, according to the CDC. - Influenza-related healthcare provider visits and hospitalization rates decreased from the previous week but remain higher than baseline flu season rates. At least 27,428 patients with laboratory-confirmed flu were hospitalized during the week ending Jan. 10, down from nearly 40,000 who were admitted the week prior.
- Influenza A(H3N2) remains the most frequently reported virus.
- The CDC is continuing to monitor influenza activity in anticipation for an increase that often occurs after the winter holidays.
- The agency estimates there have been 18 million illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths related to influenza this season.
Read the CDC’s latest FluView report here.
