Flu Activity Reaches Moderate Level In One State

For the first time in the 2020-2021 flu season, one state is beginning to demonstrate a level of flu activity that's at least notable.

Oklahoma is demonstrating moderate influenza-like illness (ILI), according to the ILI Activity Map shared in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report. Also know as FLUVIEW, the report is released every week by the CDC.

The ILI Activity Map displays ILI activity levels in each state or jurisdiction based on the percent of outpatients visits made in that area for ILI compared to weeks where there is little to no presence of the flu. The states and jurisdictions are then labeled based on that activity level in a descending order of severity, the order being very high, high, moderate, low and minimal. Oklahoma is the only state to register above a low level of activity this flu season. Fifty-one of the other states or jurisdictions on the map demonstrated minimal activity, according to the most recent data. Three jurisdictions -- New York City, Washington, D.C. and the Northern Mariana Islands -- didn't provide enough data to provide a reading.

In its report, the CDC said that it's possible that the lower than average reporting of influenza-like illness for this time of the year is being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report suggested that flu activity could increase in the coming months.