The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its latest data on the levels of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the United States. The data shows that all three respiratory viruses have declined slightly in the first week of 2024, but they are still very high and may increase again after the holidays.
According to the CDC, the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza decreased from 9.8% to 8.9%, while the percentage of specimens testing positive for COVID-19 decreased from 16.4% to 15.6%. The percentage of specimens testing positive for RSV also decreased from 8.1% to 7.3%. However, these levels are still much higher than the same period in previous years, and the CDC warns that the decline may be due to people not seeking medical care during the holidays. The CDC is monitoring for a possible post-holiday surge of respiratory viruses in the coming weeks.
The CDC also reports that COVID-19 infections are causing less severe disease than before, thanks to the high levels of immune protection from vaccines and prior infections. The hospitalization rate for COVID-19 patients has dropped from 9.6 per 100,000 population to 8.4 per 100,000 population, while the death rate has dropped from 0.9 per 100,000 population to 0.8 per 100,000 population. The CDC attributes this to the fact that more than 80% of the US population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 70% has received two doses or a booster shot. Additionally, more than 60% of the US population has been infected with COVID-19 at some point, providing some natural immunity.
The CDC also notes that JN.1, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is now the most dominant strain in the US and globally. JN.1 was first detected in Japan in November 2023, and has since spread to more than 100 countries. The CDC estimates that JN.1 accounts for more than 90% of the COVID-19 cases in the US. However, there is no evidence that JN.1 causes more severe disease or escapes the protection of vaccines or prior infections. The CDC says that the vaccines are still effective against JN.1, and urges people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The CDC also recommends people to get vaccinated against influenza and RSV, especially for those who are over 60 years old or have underlying medical conditions. Influenza and RSV can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma exacerbations. The CDC says that the flu vaccine and the RSV vaccine are safe and effective, and can prevent hospitalizations and deaths from these viruses.
The CDC advises people to take precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, such as wearing a mask, washing hands, avoiding crowds, and staying home when sick. The CDC says that these measures can help reduce the burden on the health care system and save lives. The CDC also encourages people to seek medical care if they have symptoms of respiratory illness, and to get tested for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The CDC says that early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and prevent further transmission.
It's encouraging to hear that there are dips in flu, COVID-19, and RSV. However, it's essential to stay vigilant and follow public health guidelines to ensure continued improvement in these situations.
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