Abdelrahman
Last month marked a significant shift in health data, as the influenza death toll exceeded that of the coronavirus for the first time, according to the latest weekly statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A CDC representative stated that during the week ending January 25, influenza accounted for 1.7% of total reported deaths, surpassing the 1.5% linked to COVID-19. This marks a notable moment in the trajectory of respiratory illnesses in the U.S.
“Please be aware that this data is provisional and may change as new information comes in,” the CDC warned.
Further updates revealed that for the week ending February 1, 2% of deaths nationwide were attributed to influenza, while COVID-19 accounted for 1.5%. The CDC releases this data on a weekly basis.
That same week, laboratories reported a total of 4,377 viruses to the CDC, with 4,264 being identified as influenza.
Thus far this season, the CDC reports there have been over 24 million cases of influenza, resulting in approximately 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 fatalities attributed to the virus.
Additionally, the CDC announced ten pediatric deaths linked to seasonal influenza, raising the total to 57 for the 2024-2025 season.
Recent figures from the CDC indicate that influenza activity in the United States has reached levels not seen in the past 15 years.
Flu season: Experiencing flu symptoms? Cases have surged to unprecedented levels, according to the CDC.
Respiratory Illness Trends in the U.S.
The CDC regularly publishes a community snapshot that categorizes respiratory illness data according to severity, ranging from minimal to very high.
As of Friday, overall respiratory illness activity in the U.S. is rated as very high. The seasonal flu activity remains elevated and continues to rise nationwide, while COVID-related cases are also high across various regions.
The CDC noted a decline in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity in most areas.
Among other community snapshot insights, emergency department visits related to the flu and other respiratory illnesses have been reported.
Data indicates that visits to emergency departments due to COVID-19 are decreasing, in contrast to the rising numbers associated with influenza. Visits related to RSV are on the decline as well.
“High levels of visits may suggest that infections are serious enough to require medical attention,” the CDC explained.
Impact of Flu, COVID, and Other Illnesses on Educational Institutions
Rising illnesses have resulted in school closures across the nation, including at least 16 schools in southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky, as reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY network.
Hospitalizations due to the flu have surpassed admissions from the past three years, according to a spokesperson for the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
In Kentucky, a child tragically succumbed to the flu, marking the first pediatric death from the virus this season, according to the Louisville Courier Journal, also part of the USA TODAY network. Health officials confirmed the child had not received a flu vaccine for the current season.
“Sadly, diseases such as influenza and COVID-19 pose serious health risks that can be fatal, particularly in children,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. “Vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent severe illness and death.”
This article has been updated with the latest information.
Contributors: Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer; Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal
Saleen Martin serves as a reporter for USA TODAY’s NOW team and hails from Norfolk, Virginia. You can reach her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
