Key indicators that track flu activity remain high and, after falling during the first two weeks of the year, increased over the last four weeks, according to the CDC's FluView report for Week 6, ending Feb. 8, 2020. Indicators that track overall severity (hospitalizations and deaths) are not high at this point in the season.

The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza at clinical laboratories increased from 30.1% last week to 30.8% this week.

Numbers of influenza B/Victoria and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses are approximately equal for the season overall, with continued increases in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in recent weeks.

Visits to healthcare providers for influenza-like illness (ILI) increased from 6.6% last week to 6.8% this week. All regions remain above their baselines.

The number of jurisdictions experiencing high ILI activity decreased slightly from 47 last week to 46 this week.

The number of jurisdictions reporting regional or widespread influenza activity remained at 51 this week.

The overall hospitalization rate for the season increased to 41.9 per 100,000. This is similar to what has been seen at this time during recent seasons.

The percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza is 6.8%, below the epidemic threshold of 7.3%.

14 influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2019-2020 season were reported this week. The total for the season is 92.

Source: CDC