Laboratory-confirmed flu activity as reported by clinical laboratories is now low. Influenza-like illness activity continues to decrease and is below the national baseline, according to the CDC's FluView report for Week 16, ending April 18, 2020. The percent of deaths due to pneumonia or influenza (P&I) is high but the increase is due primarily to COVID-19, not influenza. Reported pediatric flu deaths for the season are high at 169.

The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza at clinical laboratories is 0.4%. This is approximately the same as the previous week.

Nationally, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are now the most commonly reported influenza viruses this season.

Reporting of genetic and antigenic characterization and antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses has been stopped and will resume with the 2020-2021 season.

Visits to healthcare providers for influenza-like illness (ILI) decreased from 2.8% last week to 2.2% this week. Nationally, ILI is below baseline, but 4 of 10 regions are above their baselines.

The number of jurisdictions experiencing high or very high ILI activity decreased from 12 last week to 8 this week.

The number of jurisdictions reporting regional or widespread influenza activity decreased from 17 last week to 10 this week.

The overall cumulative hospitalization rate for the season increased to 68.6 per 100,000.

The percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza is 11.4%, down from 14.5% last week, but above the epidemic threshold of 6.9%.

One influenza-associated pediatric death occurring during the 2019-2020 season was reported this week. The total for the season is 169.

Source: CDC