Outbreak Outlook - Sep 9

Influenza-like illness

We are on the ascent. Around 1.9% of visits to the doctor’s office were for fever and cough or sore throat, up from 1.8% the week prior. However, the threshold that marks the beginning of flu season is 2.9%, so activity is still low.

The increase is concentrated among children, both in the 0-4 and 5-24 age groups. I expect the 25-49 age group will begin to see increases soon, as children pass their illnesses on to parents and others.

Covid-19

Wastewater activity dipped slightly nationally, from ‘very high’ to ‘high’ activity. Concentration remains highest in the West and the South, though both of these regions are improving.

In terms of severe illness:

• Emergency department visits declined moderately, to 2.3%. Behind this decline, however, is a patchwork at the state level. Some states reported substantial declines (including Louisiana and Montana), while others reported increases (including West Virginia and Idaho).

• Hospitalizations declined nationally again, to 2.6 per 100,000 people.

  • This is nearly half the peak it hit in early August.