Respiratory virus update

Spring is only a month away, but the 2023-24 respiratory virus season isn’t over yet. Viral activity has plateaued after a weeks-long free fall from the peak, but levels remain stubbornly high.

Here’s the situation in 4 charts:

The CDC gauges activity by tracking doctor visits that involve a patient showing flu-like symptoms. Last week, those made up 4.5% of all visits, or about one visit in every 22.

Activity is highest in the south. Across the nation, the activity level is very high for 7 jurisdictions, and high for another 20.

Another key measure is the proportion of tests that come back positive. Flu has the highest positivity rate, at 14.8%. Positivity rates for COVID-19 and RSV continue to fall.

Hospitalizations can give an idea of the danger associated with each virus. COVID-19 is hospitalizing people at a rate of 5.72 per 100,000, the highest rate among the three viruses.

Takeaway

The season isn’t over yet. Activity is still high in many states across the country, with both flu and COVID-19 circulating.