Nearly 20,000 people in the United States were hospitalized for the flu last week, nearly double the number of admissions a week earlier, according to updated data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Tero Vesalainen, Adobe Stock)
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WASHINGTON – Nearly 20,000 people in the United States were hospitalized for the flu last week, nearly double the number of admissions a week earlier, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed on Friday.
The CDC estimates at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths from influenza this season.
In a letter to governors on Friday, US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the flu and other respiratory viruses are “increasingly stressful” on the nation’s health care systems.
In the letter, obtained exclusively by CNN, Becerra wrote that the Biden administration “stands ready to assist you with resources, supplies and personnel.”
Last month, children’s health leaders called for a formal emergency declaration from the federal government to support hospitals and communities “in response to the alarming outbreaks of childhood respiratory infections, respiratory viruses and influenza, along with the ongoing children’s mental health emergency.”
The Biden administration has not declared a public health emergency for RSV or the flu, but Becerra’s letter outlines ways to implement a public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 to address the broader challenges posed by COVID-19 and other respiratory and respiratory tract infections. Current diseases.
“The administration has used regulatory changes to help health care providers and suppliers continue to respond to COVID-19. These changes — while critical to containing the COVID-19 pandemic — also help address many of the challenges faced during non-transmissible — including RSV and influenza — infections of COVID-19,” the letter said. “They are available to you and your health care providers as you provide responsive care for flu, RSV, COVID-19 and other illnesses.”
For example, if a hospital is experiencing staffing shortages exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, it may use a waiver to increase surgical capacity or allow for easier patient transfers. Like the flu or RSV.
The letter highlights $400 million in funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prepare for and respond to public health threats each year, including the flu and other respiratory diseases such as RSV, along with data, analysis and other planning resources. Collected by the Federal Government. He noted that the federal government is monitoring the supply chain for critical drugs and equipment and that federal health officials have been participating in a meeting with governors last month organized by the National Governors Association.
“As your federal partner, we are prepared to respond to any request for federal medical assistance and support — including medical personnel and equipment — by working closely with you and local authorities to assess the needs and availability of related facilities,” Becerra wrote. .
Flu activity is highest in the South, with hot spots spreading from El Paso to Southwest Virginia. All but six states are experiencing “high” or “very high” levels of respiratory viruses, and seasonal flu activity is “high and increasing,” according to the CDC.
There have been about 17 flu hospitalizations for every 100,000 people this season, with rates typically in December or January. The total hospitalization rate during this period has not been higher in more than ten years.
The latest intelligence data probably doesn’t reflect the effect of the full holiday period since Thanksgiving last November 26.
As the flu continues to rise, RSV has shown signs of slowing nationwide, but test positivity rates are still higher than in years, and overall hospitalization rates are 10 times higher than normal this season. In less than two months, this season’s RSV hospitalization rate is approaching the total RSV hospitalization rate for the entire 2018-19 season.
There is no vaccine for RSV, but health officials urge people to get flu shots and stay up-to-date with Covid-19 vaccinations heading into winter. With the holiday season — and flu season — underway, Dr. Anthony Fauci warned of a possible emergency this week.
“When you have very little wiggle room for intensive care beds, like all intensive care beds, it’s bad for kids who have RSV and need intensive care. But it takes all the beds and kids. People with many other illnesses who need intensive care or the ICU don’t have beds for it,” said the National Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday on CBS’ “The National Face.” “So if you get to that point, that’s approaching an emergency.”
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