As the holiday season approaches, the United States is experiencing a significant uptick in respiratory illnesses, prompting a wave of healthcare visits. According to updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), respiratory virus activity is currently at moderate levels overall, but there are notable increases in influenza and COVID-19 cases, alongside a concerning rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.

The CDC predicts that the ongoing winter respiratory virus season may not reach peak hospitalization levels seen in previous years, provided a new, more immune-evasive COVID variant does not emerge. With current trends suggesting a lull for COVID-19, health experts expect the peak burden of cases to occur by late December or early January.

Flu Outbreaks Intensify with Rising Pediatric Deaths

In the CDC's weekly FluView report ending December 13, flu-related activity has escalated, with increases noted in test positivity rates and outpatient visits for flu-like illnesses. In a striking finding, nearly 97% of positive flu tests came back as influenza A, with the H3N2 strain dominating subtyped cases at 53.5%. Notably, flu hospitalizations have surged across all age groups, with the elderly, particularly those aged 75 and older, experiencing the highest rates.

The CDC has documented two more pediatric flu fatalities, bringing the total to four for the season. One of these tragic deaths was linked to an unsubtyped influenza A strain, while the other was due to influenza B. Louisiana and Oregon are currently reporting exceptionally high rates of flu activity, with additional states across the South and West also facing elevated cases.

COVID Cases Remain a Cause for Concern

In tandem with flu concerns, COVID-19 trends are also troubling, particularly in the Midwest, where wastewater detection levels have surged. The CDC’s estimates show that from October 1 to present, between 72,000 and 120,000 individuals have been hospitalized due to COVID-19, with an estimated 8,200 to 13,000 related deaths during the same period.

Variant tracking reveals that the XEC strain has become the most prevalent, accounting for 45% of reported cases, with another variant, LP.8.1, increasing from 4% to 8% over the last two weeks. This underscores the importance of continued vigilance against respiratory viruses as the winter season unfolds.

As we move deeper into the holiday season, the CDC advocates for preventive measures such as vaccinations and maintaining health protocols to mitigate the escalating outbreaks. With a notable cocktail of respiratory viruses circulating, public health officials urge communities to stay informed and prepared for what could be a challenging winter ahead.

Stay safe and watch out for updates as the situation evolves!