Flu Deaths Surpass COVID-19 Deaths in United States
Weekly CDC Data Reveals Shift in Mortality Trends
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of deaths related to the flu has surpassed the number of fatalities caused by COVID-19 during the week ending February 1, 2023. The latest data indicates that 2% of all deaths in the U.S. were attributable to the flu, while 1.5% were attributed to COVID-19.
Influenza Cases and Hospitalizations Surge
Public health labs reported over 4,200 cases of influenza to the CDC during the same week, with 4,377 total virus notifications. The agency estimates that there have been at least 24 million illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths from the flu this season.
Ten pediatric deaths associated with seasonal influenza have been reported recently, bringing the total number for the 2024-2025 season to 57. This underscores the severity of the flu outbreak, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Influenza Activity at 15-Year High
The CDC’s data reveals that influenza levels in the U.S. have reached their highest point in 15 years. The agency categorizes respiratory illness activity into five levels: minimal, low, moderate, high, and very high. As of February 3, overall respiratory illness activity is very high, seasonal flu activity is elevated and increasing全国的に、「 COVID 活動は国中の多くの地域で高水準にとどまっている」という。
Emergency Department Visits Reflect Flu Surge
The CDC’s community snapshot shows that emergency department visits due to the flu are increasing, while those related to COVID-19 are decreasing. Visits for RSV are also declining in most parts of the nation.
School Closures and Hospital Admissions
The surge in flu cases has prompted school closures across the country, with 16 schools in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky having to shut down recently. Hospital admissions for the flu have exceeded those over the past three years in Northern Kentucky.
Tragically, a child in Kentucky has died from the flu, marking the first reported pediatric fatality of the season. Health officials stressed the importance of vaccination to prevent severe illness and fatalities.
Vaccination Remains the Best Defense
"Viruses like influenza and COVID-19 can be deadly for some people, including children," said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health in Kentucky. "Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness and death."
The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone over six months old. Staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and practicing good hand hygiene can also help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.
