Flu activity in Massachusetts remains high; cases higher than last two years

Massachusetts has had a bad flu season, and while cases could trend back up, for now, it appears the state is beginning to get some relief.

Keep in mind that because many people who get the flu don’t get tested, all cases are not captured.

Here are the highlights of the recently issued weekly report on the flu in Massachusetts along with the current national outlook and numbers.

• Influenza severity for Massachusetts remained high this week.
• The percentage of influenza-like illness visits for Massachusetts decreased compared to last week, but remains higher than the previous two years in the same week.
• Overall influenza-like illness activity for Massachusetts remains high this week. All regions are reporting high ILI activity.
• The percent of influenza-associated hospitalizations in Massachusetts decreased compared to last week, but remains elevated.
• In the 2019-2020 flu season, more influenza B than influenza A positive specimens have been reported by hospitals and outpatient facilities in Massachusetts.
• The number of influenza positive laboratory tests reported to MDPH decreased this week by 24% compared to last week. The number of influenza A and influenza B positive laboratory tests reported to MDPH decreased by 14% and 37%, respectively, compared to last week.
• All influenza strains that have been characterized in Massachusetts this season to date are covered by the current influenza vaccine.
• Nationally, influenza-like illness activity remains elevated, and approximately equal numbers of influenza A and influenza B have been reported so far this season, with continued increases in influenza A in recent weeks.

The CDC estimates that throughout the country, from October 1, 2019, through February 22, 2020, there have been:

32,000,000 – 45,000,000
flu illnesses

14,000,000 – 21,000,000
flu medical visits

310,000 – 560,000
flu hospitalizations

18,000 – 46,000
flu deaths