The CDC estimates that there have been at least 25 million illnesses this season, 280,000 hospitalisations, and 17,000 flu-related fatalities. These modest estimates are in line with historical averages from previous seasons but are higher than those from the previous season, which was thought to have caused 9 million illnesses, 100,000 flu-related hospitalisations, and 5,000 fatalities.
According to preliminary CDC statistics available on January 30, only New Mexico experienced a “high” level of influenza-like illness activity for the week ending January 21 compared to the previous week, when four states were included in that category. Six more states reported “moderate” activity, compared to seven the week before.
According to the CDC, “limited” activity was reported in 32 out of 50 states during the week ending January 21.