Overview
- England recorded an average of 2,924 flu inpatients per day last week, up 9% week over week, with overall bed occupancy just under 92% and longer ambulance handover delays.
- U.S. CDC estimates put the season’s toll at roughly 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths to date.
- The CDC reported another pediatric flu death this week, which Louisiana’s health department confirmed occurred in the state.
- Colorado hospitals remained under heavy strain after a record 831 flu inpatients two days after Christmas, with nearly 740 hospitalizations in the latest week and only about 28% of residents vaccinated.
- Officials say a newly dominant Influenza A(H3N2) subclade K that emerged after vaccine selection is causing a partial mismatch, prompting renewed calls to get vaccinated, stay home when ill, and take basic precautions.