The CDC reported Jan. 13 that 29 states were reporting “high” levels of respiratory illness activity.
Six states reported “very high” levels of respiratory illness activity: Arizona, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Delaware and Hawaii.
Here are five more updates from the CDC report:
- Emergency department visits were high, while RSV visits remained very high. COVID-19-related ED visits were also elevated across the country.
- Influenza test positivity remained stable at 18.6%, while COVID-19 remained steady at 6.9%. The RSV positivity rate increased to 11.6%.
- COVID-19 and influenza A were at high levels in wastewater samples, while RSV activity was moderate.
- Emergency department data suggests a potential decline in COVID-19 and flu cases in the coming weeks. However, the overall impact may be influenced by data reporting delays and changes in healthcare behavior during the holidays.
- Hospitals across the country are facing significant capacity challenges with multiple viral infections surging, driving up patient numbers. Emergency departments are particularly overwhelmed, with hospitals such as Edina, Minn.-based M Health Fairview having to use hallways and nontraditional spaces to treat patients. In Minnesota, flu-related hospital admissions are nearing the highest levels seen in five years.
