On December 25 in Los Angeles, experts are worried about the rising number of flu and COVID-19 cases in the United States during the holiday season. They are especially concerned about the health risks posed by the simultaneous spread of these respiratory illnesses.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an increase in the number of respiratory illnesses prompting people to seek medical attention in most areas of the country. This rise is attributed to factors such as holiday gatherings, a high number of unvaccinated individuals, and the emergence of a new, potentially more transmissible variant of the coronavirus.
According to the latest data from the CDC, seasonal influenza activity is on the rise and continues to increase in most parts of the United States. The estimates from the CDC have shown that there have been at least 5.3 million cases of flu, 54,000 hospitalizations, and 3,200 deaths so far this season.
The number of weekly flu hospital admissions is also increasing, with over 9,800 patients admitted to hospitals with flu in the week ending Dec. 16, according to the CDC. Additionally, there have been 14 flu-associated pediatric deaths reported in the country in this season.
Nationally, laboratory test positivity for flu and emergency department visits due to flu are both on the rise, according to the CDC. At the same time, a new coronavirus subvariant JN.1 is quickly spreading in the United States, becoming a significant contributor to new COVID-19 cases in the country.
The CDC has estimated that JN.1 is currently the fastest growing variant and is responsible for over 44 percent of new infections across the country. It is particularly strong in the Northeast regions, accounting for nearly 57 percent of cases in states like New Jersey and New York.
JN.1, which is closely related to the variant BA.2.86 that the CDC has been tracking since August, was first detected in the United States in September 2023. The CDC has also stated that JN.1 is likely more transmissible or better at evading our immune systems than other variants.
Health experts are worried about the impact of these simultaneous respiratory illnesses and are urging the public to take preventive measures. This includes getting vaccinated and adhering to health guidelines in order to mitigate the spread of infections and avoid severe outcomes of the viruses.
