According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), key indicators of seasonal flu activity declined in the first week of the year, signaling a possible reprieve from the high levels of respiratory virus transmission this season. However, the dip may only be temporary, and the CDC is monitoring for a second period of increased influenza activity that often occurs after the winter holidays.
Elevated flu activity in the US
COVID-19 and RSV
Although the flu activity has dipped, transmission is still elevated around the country. Fourteen states have influenza-like illness (ILI) activity at the “very high” level in the current data, down from 22 the week before. And 23 states have “high” activity level, up from 19 the week before. You can see the week-by-week progression of this year’s flu season in the US.
COVID-19 data also showed some dips, with the CDC reporting that “Despite test positivity (percentage of tests conducted that were positive), emergency department visits, and hospitalizations remaining elevated nationally, the rates have stabilized, or in some instances decreased, after multiple weeks of continual increase”. Meanwhile, RSV activity remains elevated, though some areas are starting to see declines.
Vaccination
The CDC notes that it’s not too late to get vaccinated against COVID-19, flu, and (for those ages 60 and over) RSV. So far, 21 percent of adults have received the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine, including 41.5 percent of people ages 65 and up. Around 363,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the US since September. For flu, about 47 percent of adults have received their annual shot, including 74 percent of people ages 65 and up.
Stay safe and healthy!.