Key Points:
– 25 states, New York City, and Washington, D.C. report “high” or “very high” levels of respiratory illness activity.
– Weekly COVID hospitalizations remain steady.
– CDC tracking new COVID variant, BA.2.87.1.
– Flu hospitalizations slightly declined, but activity remains elevated nationally.
Details:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), half of all U.S. states are currently experiencing high levels of respiratory virus activity. This includes 25 states, New York City, and Washington, D.C., reporting “high” or “very high” activity levels. While this number is slightly up from last week, it is fewer than the peak seen at the end of December.
Weekly COVID hospitalizations have remained stable, with just over 21,000 recorded in recent weeks. The CDC is also monitoring a new COVID variant, BA.2.87.1, although no cases have been reported in the U.S. yet.
Flu hospitalizations have slightly decreased, but activity remains elevated nationally, particularly in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Great Plains regions. Health officials stress the importance of getting updated flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines, as vaccination rates in the U.S. continue to lag behind recommendations.