Skip to main content

Weekly Flu Report, April 17, 2020

Massachusetts Department of Public Health weekly influenza update
Skip table of contents

Table of Contents

You skipped the table of contents section.

This week’s report

View the current weekly flu report.

Highlights

  • Influenza severity for Massachusetts is low this week as influenza-related hospitalizations and influenza positive test results continue to decrease.
  • The percentage of influenza-like illness visits for Massachusetts is elevated and remains higher than the previous two years in the same week. COVID-19 related activity, as well as increased healthcare-seeking behavior for respiratory illness, contributes to the increase in overall ILI trends in recent weeks.
  • Overall influenza-like illness activity for Massachusetts remains high this week. Southeast region is reporting low ILI activity, Inner Metro Boston region is reporting moderate ILI activity, and all other regions are reporting high ILI activity.
  • The percent of influenza-associated hospitalizations in Massachusetts decreased compared to last week.
  • In the 2019-2020 flu season, more influenza B than influenza A positive specimens have been reported by hospitals and outpatient facilities in Massachusetts.
  • The number of influenza positive laboratory tests reported to MDPH decreased this week by 73% compared to last week. The number of influenza A and influenza B positive laboratory tests reported to MDPH decreased by 90% and 40%, respectively, compared to last week.
  • All influenza strains that have been characterized in Massachusetts this season to date are covered by the current influenza vaccine.
  • Nationally, laboratory confirmed flu activity as reported by clinical laboratories is now low. Influenza-like illness activity is lower than last week but remains elevated as people are seeking care for respiratory illness due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Influenza A viruses are now the most commonly reported influenza viruses this season.
  • Additional statewide and national data including geographic spread, ILI activity, and pneumonia and influenza mortality are available at CDC’s FluView Weekly Report at www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly and FluView Interactive https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluviewinteractive.htm.
  • For the most up to date information on COVID-19 please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Additional Resources

Open DOCX file, 368.27 KB,  Weekly Flu Report, April 17, 2020 (Accessible) (English, DOCX 368.27 KB)
Date published: April 17, 2020

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback