Flu activity has declined nationwide for the third consecutive week, new CDC data shows.
While hospitalizations, emergency department visits and test positivity rates are trending downward overall, the virus continues to strain pediatric care. Children are experiencing the highest flu hospitalization rates seen in more than a decade, according to the agency’s latest FluView report.
Six updates:
1. The weekly hospitalization rate dropped to 2.9 per 100,000 in the week ending Jan. 17, down from a peak of 12.8 in late December — the second-highest peak since the 2010-11 season. Nearly 18,000 people were admitted to hospitals for the flu during the week ending Jan. 17, down from more than 27,000 the week prior.
2. Among children, the peak weekly hospitalization rate was the highest in 15 years. Flu-related emergency department visits continue to rise for school-aged children, CDC data shows.
3. The percentage of outpatient visits for respiratory illness has decreased from 8.26% in late December to 4.37% in the week ending Jan. 17. This figure remains high — 19.9% — among children under age 4. Among all age groups, outpatient flu activity has decreased for three consecutive weeks but remains above the national baseline of 3.1%.
4. The test positivity rate for flu was 17.7% in the week ending Jan. 17, down from 18.6% the week prior.
5. The percentage of flu-related deaths decreased slightly week-over-week. The CDC also confirmed 12 new pediatric deaths in the week ending Jan. 17, bringing the season’s total to 44.
6. At least 19 million illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 flu deaths have occurred so far this season, the CDC estimates.
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