Overview
- CDC data for the week ending Jan. 10 show influenza test positivity at 18.6% and respiratory visits at 5.3%, with flu hospital admissions down sharply week over week.
- Season-to-date estimates include about 18 million illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths nationwide.
- A total of 32 pediatric deaths have been reported this season, and among those with known status 90% were not fully vaccinated; Massachusetts logged a fifth pediatric death in state data through Jan. 10.
- Flu activity remains widespread, with 34 states at high or very high levels, and some hospitals have postponed elective procedures as facilities report capacity strains.
- H3N2 subclade K continues to dominate recent samples, raising match concerns even as research cited by experts indicates this year’s vaccine still offers protection, particularly against severe outcomes.