While the key months are yet to come, so far reported cases of Influenza in 2021 remain low for the vast majority of states and jurisdictions in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. The CDC, which provides updating information with their “Weekly U.S. Influenza Report” rates jurisdictions on 6-tier scale: Very High, High, Moderate, Low, Minimal, and Insufficient data.
According to findings from Week 31 (ending Aug.7), zero states were classified as “Very High”, while just one state, Georgia, reported “High” levels of activity. New Mexico and Florida came in at “Moderate”, while the remaining 52 jurisdictions either have “Low”, “Minimal”, or “Insufficient Data”. Compared to this time last year, these findings are slightly higher across the board, with just one jurisdiction, Puerto Rico, coming in at the highest rung of “Low activity. This however should take into account the severity of shutdowns at the time.
Health experts, however, have expressed concerns that the lack of opportunity to build up immunity due to COVID-19 shutdowns could lead to more vulnerability than ever to the flu this upcoming winter, with early flu vaccinations being recommended if possible. For more on these “Twindemic” concerns, click here.
Be sure to check back in for more CDC flu activity updates in the weeks to come.