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Weekly Flu Report, February 21, 2020

Massachusetts Department of Public Health weekly influenza update
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This week's report

View the Weekly Flu Report, February 21, 2020 | (DOC)

Highlights

  • Influenza severity for Massachusetts has decreased from very high to high this week.
  • The percentage of influenza-like illness visits for Massachusetts decreased compared to last week, but remains higher than the previous two years in the same week.
  • Overall influenza-like illness activity for Massachusetts remains high this week. All regions are reporting high ILI activity.
  • The percent of influenza-associated hospitalizations in Massachusetts decreased compared to last week, but remains elevated.
  • 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 31% compared to last week. The number of influenza A and influenza B positive laboratory tests reported to MDPH decreased by 21% 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, influenza-like illness activity remains elevated, and approximately equal numbers of influenza A and influenza B have been reported so far this season, with continued increases in influenza A in recent weeks.
  • There have been fifteen confirmed cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the U.S. and one case identified in Massachusetts.  For the most up to date information on COVID-19 please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
  • 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.

Flu activity remains elevated. It’s not too late to get vaccinated.

Flu vaccination is always the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications.

Additional Resources

Open DOC file, 411.5 KB,  Weekly Flu Report, February 21, 2020 (Accessible) (English, DOC 411.5 KB)
Date published: February 21, 2020

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