CDC announces respiratory virus season may have passed its peak in the United States

CNN
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Key indicators of respiratory virus activity in the United States have been trending downward for weeks, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the worst of the season may be over. However, virus levels remain high across the country.

Influenza hospitalization rates for the week ending February 10 were about half of what they were at the season's peak in late December, and hospitalization rates for COVID-19 were about a third lower, according to the CDC. data is shown.

“While the respiratory virus epidemic has likely passed its peak, it is by no means over,” the agency said in a written statement. update Website on Friday. “Respiratory virus activity remains high and now is not the time to let our guard down.”

Levels of the coronavirus in U.S. sewage remain high, especially in the South, where levels are twice as high as in the rest of the country. Despite improvements, thousands of people are still hospitalized with COVID-19, with more than 21,000 hospitalizations in the week ending February 10, according to the CDC. The CDC's latest data on deaths from COVID-19 is incomplete, but it estimates at least 650 people died in the week ending February 10.

And overall, the rate of medical visits for respiratory illnesses with symptoms of fever with cough and sore throat has been above the baseline since November. In early February, nearly 5% of all outpatient visits were due to influenza-like illnesses, well above the national standard of 3%.

Half of U.S. states had high or very high respiratory virus activity in the week ending February 10, according to the CDC.agency prediction COVID-19 infections are likely on the rise in 12 states, while influenza infections are on the rise in nine states.

So far this season, hospitalizations for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus are lower than at this point last season. And this season's peak week for respiratory virus hospitalizations occurred several weeks later, with a slight decrease from last season, the CDC said. data is shown.

But flu season is unpredictable, with “significant” activity lasting into May in some years, the CDC said. And although COVID-19 infections are less likely to have serious outcomes now than they were at earlier points in the pandemic, the coronavirus remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

The CDC says vaccination rates are slightly lower than they were at this point last season, but it's still not too late to get vaccinated against influenza or COVID-19. Only about half of the U.S. population has received a flu shot this season, while about 22% of adults and 12% of children have received their latest Covid-19 vaccination. There is.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the serious consequences of these viral respiratory illnesses,” the CDC says. To tell. “Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious illness, such as infants, older adults, pregnant women, and people with certain disabilities or underlying health conditions.”

According to the CDC, masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and improved airflow can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, and testing in the early stages of the disease can lead to COVID-19, paxrobid, and new coronavirus infections. He said it could help ensure that people who need treatment are treated, such as Tamiflu in the case of the coronavirus. Influenza – You can get infected.