For context, practically 200 pediatric lives have been misplaced in the course of the 2019-2020 flu season, in response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
There have been simply 1,499 medical laboratory-confirmed circumstances of influenza this 12 months, per estimates from the CDC, which additionally exhibits that flu-related hospitalizations are considerably decrease this season in comparison with seasons previous.
Between Oct. 1 — the beginning of flu season — and Feb, 20, there have been some 183 laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations, representing an general cumulative hospitalization price of 0.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, per the CDC.
CDC SEES RECORD FLU VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
“That is a lot decrease than common for this level within the season and decrease than charges for any season since routine knowledge assortment started in 2005, together with the low severity 2011-12 season. In the course of the 2011-12 season, the speed was 2.2 occasions increased presently within the season. Hospitalization charges stratified by age will probably be introduced as soon as case counts enhance to a stage that produces steady charges by age,” the company says.
Consultants who beforehand spoke to Fox Information on the nation’s decrease than common flu exercise this 12 months stated that preventative measures to guard towards COVID-19 — similar to sporting masks, social distancing, frequent handwashing, and avoiding indoor crowds — have doubtless performed a task in holding the flu at bay.
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Faculty closures additionally doubtless performed a task, as early analysis suggests youngsters transmit the influenza virus higher than they do COVID-19, Dr. Abisola Olulade, a household drugs doctor in California, stated on the time.
Olulade additionally identified that whereas some might recommend that folks weren’t testing for the flu amid coronavirus, the positivity price of those that have been remained decrease than common, which signifies that the viral unfold in the neighborhood was certainly low, and never a matter of what check was carried out.
Fox Information’ Alexandria Hein contributed to this report.
Madeline Farber is a Reporter for Fox Information. You’ll be able to comply with her on Twitter @MaddieFarberUDK.
