Flu Activity Remains Low

Every few weeks, we periodically check in on the progression of the flu season, reporting on states that are either a rising threat for illness or ones that could be looming. With infection control such an important factor to reopening facilities and keeping schools open — and learning the best practices for doing so — it's also important to keep tabs on influenza in addition to COVID-19 concerns. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which provides updating information with their “Weekly U.S. Influenza Report” rates states on 6-tier scale: Very High, High, Moderate, Low, Minimal, and Insufficient data. 

According to findings from week 39 (ending Oct. 2) zero states were classified as “Very High” or "High”; the same as our most recent reporting 3 weeks ago. In the early weeks of September, two states had fallen under under “High” category — New Mexico and Georgia — which are now under “Low” and “Minimal” respectively. 

The promising trends extend into the “Moderate” category, where just one state (Mississippi) qualifies. At the end of September, three states had fallen under “Moderate”: Georgia, New Mexico and Wyoming.  All three are now considered “Low” or “Minimal” — along with the remainder of states and neighboring jurisdictions being monitored.

While the past 6 recorded weeks continue to show minimal threat, the toughest months are yet to come historically for flu season. Health experts are still concerned about the possibility of a "Twindemic" in which inadequate flu immunity due to recent shutdowns in the past year and a half could combine with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to learn more about how best practices for cleaning and infection control and help prevent this possibility. 

Be sure to check back in for more CDC flu activity updates on a regular basis.