What happened to Flu Season 2020?
As measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus were implemented around the country in March 2020, influenza quickly disappeared, and it still has not returned. The latest flu season, which normally would have run until next month, essentially never happened.
How many people have died from the flu this season?
CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 26 million illnesses, 290,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths from flu. The majority of influenza viruses tested are in the same genetic subclade as and antigenically similar to the influenza viruses included in this season’s influenza vaccine.
How has the flu impacted health in the past season?
The low level of flu activity during this past season contributed to dramatically fewer flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths compared with previous flu seasons. For comparison, during the last three seasons before the pandemic, the proportion of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza peaked between 26.2% and 30.3%.
How many pediatric flu deaths in 2022-2023?
Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the 2022-2023 season were reported this week, for a total of 145 pediatric flu deaths reported so far this season. CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 26 million illnesses, 290,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths from flu.