The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging people to get the flu vaccine by the end of October given a steady increase in cases early in the season. The number of positive flu cases has reached 4,782 since Oct. 2, the CDC reports.
Oct. 2, the CDC reports. This includes 4,610 positive cases of Influenza A and 172 positive cases of Influenza B. By comparison, the positivity rate for the 2020-2021 flu season was 0.2%, meaning 1,675 people tested positive.
“U.S. flu cases typically mirror Argentina and Australia’s cases in terms of volume and severity, and they’re often used as leading indicators for the U.S. flu season,” said Yoandree Pierre-Jacques, CVS Pharmacy district leader in the Washington area. “Both countries experienced a strong start to flu season this year, with higher numbers of cases than in 2019, which was a strong flu season across all three countries.
“We have seen a decline in positivity rates during the past two years following the widespread adoption of community measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission,” Pierre-Jacques said. “We’ve seen a decline in flu cases in general, which can be attributed, at least in part, to an increased focus on personal hygiene, mask wearing and less time spent in public places.”