Weekly Flu Report, March 27, 2020

Massachusetts Department of Public Health weekly influenza update

This week's report

View the weekly flu report.

Highlights

• Influenza severity for Massachusetts has decreased from moderate to low this week as influenza-related hospitalizations and influenza positive test results have decreased.
• The percentage of influenza-like illness visits for Massachusetts has increased 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. All 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 65% compared to last week. The number of influenza A and influenza B positive laboratory tests reported to MDPH decreased by 67% and 62%, 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, the percent of laboratory specimens testing positive for influenza at clinical laboratories continued to decrease while influenza-like illness activity continued to increase as more 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  and FluView Interactive.
• For the most up to date information on COVID-19 please visit CDC.

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.

Date published:	March 27, 2020