Flu levels now highest since 2009 pandemic, CDC reports
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Levels of influenza nationwide are now at the highest they have been since the peak of the 2009 swine flu pandemic, according to figures published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, amid this winter's second wave of the virus. Close to 8% of visits for respiratory illness to outpatient providers, including urgent cares and doctors offices, reported to the CDC this week were people sick with influenza.
AI Summary
Main Idea: The CDC says flu levels are now at their highest point since the 2009 pandemic, with a second winter wave pushing illness rates to very high levels nationwide.
Key Points:
- Nearly 8% of outpatient visits for respiratory illness this week were for flu, the worst level in the CDC’s record since late 2009.
- Lab data showed 31.6% of tests last week were positive for influenza, far above recent seasonal peaks.
- Most states are reporting high or very high flu activity, and the CDC says flu is still growing in 15 states.
- Children are being hit hard, while vaccination rates are at a six-year low and fewer than half of Americans have gotten a flu shot.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
The CDC says flu is at a very high level, which can mean more doctor visits, missed work and school, and heavier strain on hospitals and families.
Positive Impact
No clear positive impact identified.
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Candidate Entities4 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Centers for Disease Control and Preventiongovernment agency or bodyPrimaryAI selected
Central public health agency cited for the flu surveillance figures and nationwide activity levels driving the story.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Dr. Kris BryantpersonContextCandidate
Named pediatric infectious specialist quoted about unusually high pediatric flu cases in Kentucky.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Norton Childrens Hospitalcultural institutionContextCandidate
Named hospital where the article cites a large number of positive pediatric flu cases.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Paula CohenpersonNot scoredCandidate
Named in the byline/credit line, but not part of the article's substantive focus.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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