"Resurgence of Respiratory Viruses in the United States: Monitoring the Flu, Covid-19, and RSV Trends"

After a recent decline in flu activity, certain indicators reveal a resurgence, with respiratory virus levels remaining elevated across the United States. In the week concluding on January 27, over 82,000 individuals diagnosed with influenza sought emergency department care, marking an 8% increase compared to the preceding week. The overall test positivity rate for flu also experienced a slight uptick. It is not uncommon to observe a second surge of flu activity post the winter holidays, yet accurately predicting the duration and severity of the entire season remains challenging. This surge might signify the onset of a full second wave or could be a temporary spike before a more consistent decline, as suggested by the CDC. Typically, a traditional second wave follows a substantial decrease, wherein influenza B viruses surpass the previously predominant influenza A viruses in circulation.

Respiratory virus levels, including flu, Covid-19, and RSV, remain high in the United States. In the week ending January 27, over 50,000 emergency department visits and approximately 23,000 hospitalizations for Covid-19 were reported. Despite a month-long decline in emergency visits for Covid-19 and RSV, the flu is experiencing a potential delayed peak this season. Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist, suggests that the expected downward trend for Covid-19 is occurring, while the flu's peak may be shifting later in the season. After a recent decrease in flu activity, indicators point to a resurgence, with elevated respiratory virus levels across the United States. In the week ending January 27, over 82,000 individuals diagnosed with influenza sought emergency department care, marking an 8% increase compared to the preceding week. The overall test positivity rate for flu also experienced a slight uptick. It is not uncommon to observe a second surge of flu activity post the winter holidays, yet accurately predicting the duration and severity of the entire season remains challenging. This surge might signify the onset of a full second wave or could be a temporary spike before a more consistent decline, as suggested by the CDC. Typically, a traditional second wave follows a substantial decrease, wherein influenza B viruses surpass the previously predominant influenza A viruses in circulation.

Respiratory virus levels, including flu, Covid-19, and RSV, remain high in the United States. In the week ending January 27, over 50,000 emergency department visits and approximately 23,000 hospitalizations for Covid-19 were reported. Despite a month-long decline in emergency visits for Covid-19 and RSV, the flu is experiencing a potential delayed peak this season. Dr. Michael Mina, an epidemiologist, suggests that the expected downward trend for Covid-19 is occurring, while the flu's peak may be shifting later in the season.

While national trends are helpful, experts emphasize that local trends are the best way to gauge risk and make decisions about how to stay safe and healthy. According to the CDC, 18 states and Washington, DC, are still experiencing high or very high levels of respiratory illness. New data from the CDC’s Center for Forecasting Analytics suggests that flu infections are growing in four states — Florida, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas — and likely growing in five others: Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Wastewater surveillance suggests that Covid-19 levels are highest in the South, with forecasted case increases in South Carolina, in particular.