Tag: respiratory virus activity levels

The CDC on January 12, 2024 reported that respiratory virus activity is elevated or increasing across the country. The summary:

“Summary

Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 activity remain elevated in most parts of the country; however, the rapid increases seen over the past several weeks appear to be slowing. The U.S. continues to experience elevated RSV activity, particularly among young children. Hospital bed occupancy for all patients, including within intensive care units, remains stable nationally. However, some jurisdictions are reporting strain on hospitals locally, driven, in part, by recent increases in respiratory illness.

Influenza

Multiple indicators of influenza activity including test positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations are elevated. Additional information about the recent increases in influenza activity can be found at: Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report | CDC.

COVID-19

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. Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are highest among infants and older adults but are also elevated for young children. Despite the high levels of infection measured using wastewater viral activity and test positivity data, at this time, COVID-19 infections are causing severe disease less frequently than earlier in the pandemic.

RSV

RSV activity remains elevated nationally in all regions, though decreases have been observed in some areas. Hospitalization rates remain elevated in young children and continue to increase among older adults.

Vaccination

National vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccines remains low for children and adults. Vaccines are available and can help protect people from the most serious health effects of fall and winter viruses.”