The rate of hospitalizations for the flu has hit the highest levels seen since health officials started recording this data in 2010, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — another sign that this flu season could be among the worst in more than a decade.
CDC officials said today there are likely several weeks to go in this killer season, in which the deaths of 53 children from the flu have already been reported. Sixteen of those deaths were reported in this week’s update.
“This season is a somber reminder of why flu is one of the nation’s greatest public health challenges,” acting CDC director Dr. Anne Schuchat said in a press briefing today. “This week, we have seen increased [influenza-like illness] activity, more hospitalizations and more flu-associated deaths in children and adults.”
As of Jan. 27, 42 out of 50 states — as well as New York City and the District of Columbia — experienced high flu activity, according to the CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report.
Meanwhile, 9.7 percent of deaths that occurred in the U.S. during the week ending on Jan. 13 were attributable to pneumonia and influenza-related illness — a level not seen since 2015 and one that indicated the country is still in the throes of a flu epidemic.
Flu numbers hit fresh highs: 16 new reports of child deaths from flu since last week – ABC News
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