Outbreak Outlook - Sep 16

Influenza-like illness

Seasonal influenza remains low nationally, with outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) stable at 1.9%. Flu season isn’t here yet, but as I’ve noted for the past few weeks, we are starting to see some slight indications that influenza and influenza-like illness is stirring.

Wastewater concentration of influenza A is increasing, and although most parts of the country remain at minimal ILI outpatient levels, Washington, DC has moved into the moderate category. Around 4.6% of visits to the doctor due to ILI in the District.

On the other hand, activity in Georgia has calmed down, presumably stabilizing after the beginning of the school year. Outpatient ILI fell from 3.6 two weeks ago down to 2.7, below the “flu season” threshold. 

Covid-19

Nationally, wastewater activity is high and has been hovering at this concentration for the past several weeks. Activity in the West is down, but remains the highest in the country. The Midwest has surpassed the South in the number two slot, as Southern activity declines.

ED visits for Covid-19 have declined again and accounted for 2% of all ED visits last week nationally. ED visits decreased substantially across much of the South, but remained stable or increased in large sections of the West, Northeast, and Midwest. Hospitalizations made another decline this past week to 2.5 hospitalizations per 100,000 people.