SEIZE THE $50 BILLION SITE-OF-CARE SHIFT OPPORTUNITY
Get the tools, data, and insights to drive growth.
Learn more

 We are pausing publication of The Daily Briefing out of respect for the tragic passing of Brian Thompson. We will resume publication of this daily newsletter in the coming days.

Library

| Daily Briefing

The 2019-2020 flu season, charted


Between 36 million and 51 million people have been stricken with the flu as of March 7, according to the latest CDC data.

Flu activity so far

According to Friday's Weekly Influenza Surveillance report from CDC, 48 states were experiencing widespread flu activity in the week ending in March 7, while Oregon was experiencing regional flu activity and Hawaii and Washington, D.C., were experiencing local flu activity.

 

By some indicators, this flu season is worse than last flu season. For example, CDC's latest data shows the cumulative hospitalization rate for the flu so far this season is 61.6 per 100,000 people, compared with 43.3 per 100,000 at the same point last season.

 

According to CDC, this year's flu season has led to at least 17 million medical visits and 370,000 hospitalizations. CDC found that the percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness increased to 5.2% in the week ending on March 7, up from 5.1% the previous week. The national baseline for those visits is 2.4%.

CDC estimated that there have been at least 22,000 deaths related to the flu so far this season.

Worst flu season for children in a decade

This flu season has been especially bad for children, according to CDC. The latest CDC report shows 144 pediatric deaths were reported as of March 7, with eight new pediatric deaths occurring in the week ending on March 7. The cumulative hospitalization rate for children ages four and under so far this season was 88.9 per 100,000 people as of March 7.

 

Experts say the high number of pediatric deaths this flu season is due to the fact that both influenza A and B have been dominant, leading to what's being called a "double barrel" flu season. Experts say the influenza B strain is more likely to affect younger people, though they're not sure why. Some believe that older people may have some immunity to influenza B, as it doesn't mutate as much as other flu strains, meaning it's possible older people have caught the strain circulating this season before (CDC Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, 3/13; CDC "Flu View," accessed 3/16; CDC Preliminary In-Season 2019-2020 Flu Burden Estimates, accessed 3/16; Schumaker, ABC News, 2/21; Wesner Childs, Weather.com, 2/14; Edwards, NBC News, 2/20).


SPONSORED BY

INTENDED AUDIENCE

AFTER YOU READ THIS

AUTHORS

TOPICS

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Don't miss out on the latest Advisory Board insights

Create your free account to access 1 resource, including the latest research and webinars.

Want access without creating an account?

   

You have 1 free members-only resource remaining this month.

1 free members-only resources remaining

1 free members-only resources remaining

You've reached your limit of free insights

Become a member to access all of Advisory Board's resources, events, and experts

Never miss out on the latest innovative health care content tailored to you.

Benefits include:

Unlimited access to research and resources
Member-only access to events and trainings
Expert-led consultation and facilitation
The latest content delivered to your inbox

You've reached your limit of free insights

Become a member to access all of Advisory Board's resources, events, and experts

Never miss out on the latest innovative health care content tailored to you.

Benefits include:

Unlimited access to research and resources
Member-only access to events and trainings
Expert-led consultation and facilitation
The latest content delivered to your inbox
AB
Thank you! Your updates have been made successfully.
Oh no! There was a problem with your request.
Error in form submission. Please try again.