CDC experiences extra deaths as a result of flu than COVID
The variety of deaths as a result of flu has surpassed the variety of deaths from the coronavirus, based on weekly knowledge from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, or the CDC.
In accordance with the partial knowledge, 2% of the deaths within the U.S. for the week ending in Feb. 1 have been resulting from influenza, or the flu. That very same week, 1.5% of deaths within the nation have been resulting from COVID. The numbers are posted weekly.
That week, public well being labs reported 4,377 viruses to the CDC, and 4,264 of them have been the flu.
The CDC mentioned that this season, the company estimates there have been at the least 24 million diseases, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths from the flu to date.
Just lately, ten pediatric deaths related to seasonal influenza have been reported, bringing the 2024-2025 season complete to 57 pediatric deaths, the CDC mentioned.
Current CDC knowledge additionally exhibits that influenza ranges within the U.S. have risen to the very best ranges they’ve been in 15 years.
Flu season:Have the flu or know somebody with it? Flu circumstances surge to highest ranges in 15 years, CDC says
Respiratory diseases within the US
The CDC additionally releases a group snapshot that categorizes knowledge by severity. Rankings embody minimal, low, reasonable, excessive, and really excessive.
As of Friday, general respiratory sickness exercise within the U.S. could be very excessive, seasonal flu exercise is “elevated and continues to extend throughout the nation,” whereas COVID exercise is “elevated in lots of areas of the nation.”
The CDC added that whereas Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is declining in most components of the nation.
Amongst different findings in the neighborhood snapshot are emergency division visits as a result of flu and different diseases.
In accordance with the CDC, emergency division visits within the U.S. resulting from COVID are reducing, whereas ER visits as a result of flu are growing. Visits resulting from RSV are additionally reducing.
“When ranges are excessive, it could point out that infections are making individuals sick sufficient to require remedy,” the CDC mentioned.
Flu, COVID, and different diseases impacting US colleges
Sicknesses have led to highschool closures throughout the nation, together with at the least 16 colleges in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, reported the Cincinnati Enquirer, a part of the USA TODAY community.
Hospital admissions for the flu have exceeded the variety of admissions over the previous three years, a spokesperson for the Northern Kentucky Well being Division informed the outlet.
And likewise in Kentucky, a baby died from the flu for the primary time this 12 months, reported the Louisville Courier Journal, additionally a part of the USA TODAY community. Well being officers mentioned the kid had not obtained a flu vaccine this season.
“Sadly, viruses like influenza and COVID-19 are severe illnesses that may be lethal to some individuals, together with youngsters,” Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Division for Public Well being, informed the outlet. “Vaccination is the easiest way to stop extreme sickness and dying.”
Contributing: Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer; Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW workforce. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Electronic mail her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
