Flu Activity Keeps Up In New Year: Cases In Colorado

Only four states are not seeing widespread flu activity, and unfortunately, Colorado is not one of them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s first influenza report of 2020. Still, on Friday, government health officials reported that despite the prevalence of the virus in most states, the number of confirmed influenza cases actually dropped the first week of 2020.

The percentage of virus specimens testing positive for influenza in the country fell from 26.4 percent for the week ending Dec. 28 to 23.3 percent for the week ending Jan. 4. However, while flu activity remains high, officials said, the number of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths indicates we haven’t yet reached the peak of this year’s flu season.

The CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 9.7 million illnesses, 87,000 hospitalizations and 4,800 deaths from flu in the U.S.

For comparison, the CDC reported a total of 6.4 million illnesses, 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths in its weekly report ending Dec. 28.

The latest data from the agency shows that the virus has been widespread or striking regionally in 50 states and territories, including Colorado. Only Washington, D.C., and Hawaii are reporting strictly local activity. The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus.

The CDC’s surveillance of influenza-like illness measures the level of flu activity within a state. According to the latest data, flu activity is high in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, New York City and 33 states, including Colorado.

Since Colorado's 2019-2020 flu season began Sept. 29, there have been 765 hospitalizations and 7 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, according to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment. A total of 118 hospitalizations were reported between Dec. 29 and Jan. 4.

Emergency visits in Denver's metro area are above-average so far this season — at 6.7 percent, compared to a seasonal baseline level of 1.78 percent, health officials said.

The groups most at risk of the flu are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, according to the CDC.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

The flu is a highly contagious illness, which is why the CDC urges everyone to do the following things to protect themselves and others:

• Take time to get a flu shot: While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common. The CDC says it’s not too late to get this year’s vaccine.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• If you are sick with flu symptoms, you should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.
• Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.