Flu Activity High During Last Week of 2019, Continues to Rise

The final weeks of 2019 saw high seasonal influenza activity across the United States, and the CDC said it continues to increase, according to the

for the week ending in December 28, 2019.

Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report

So far during the 2019-2020 influenza season, the CDC estimates that there have been at least 6.4 million flu illnesses, resulting in 55,000 hospitalizations, and 2900 deaths. Of those, 27 pediatric deaths have been reported to the CDC, including 18 deaths associated with influenza B viruses, and 9 deaths caused by influenza A viruses.

Outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) and the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza are similar to levels seen at the peak of previous seasons.

For the week ending in December 28, 2019, visits to health care providers for ILIs increased from 5.1% to 6.9%. This percentage is above the national baseline of 2.4%. The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza at clinical laboratories also increased during week 52, from 23% to 26.3%. All regions were above their baselines and continuing to increase, according to the report.

The full article was originally published onPharmacy Times.