STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Influenza activity is being tracked at elevated levels across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last week, raising concerns Thanksgiving travel could exacerbate the spread of respiratory illnesses.
The flu has caused an estimated more than 4.4 million cases, 38,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths so far this season, according to CDC estimates, with the current hospitalization rate toppling numbers seen at this time of the year for the past decade.
New York City has observed “very high” levels of influenza-like illness as of Nov. 12, 2022, joining more than a dozen states — mostly in the southeast — given the same designation.
“CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccine annually,” the agency wrote in its update. “Now is a good time to get vaccinated.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention graphic.
The CDC said two new pediatric deaths have been reported during this year’s flu season, bringing the total number of fatalities to seven for those under 18. Young children and older adults are considered to be at greatest risk to severe illness caused by influenza.
Most of the influenza viruses tested by federal health officials this year are similar to the viruses targeted in this year’s flu vaccine, the CDC said. Testing earlier this year found the vaccine was effective at reducing hospitalizations.
“Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes in people who get vaccinated but still get sick with flu,” the CDC said.
The high levels of influenza come as hospitals across the country are grappling with a surge of pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases, including Staten Island’s medical systems, the Advance/SILive.com reported.
Top doctors at both Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center have seen more than a two-fold increase in RSV hospitalizations of young children.
The sheer increase in the number of cases is partially to blame for the heightened hospitalization levels, though limited exposure to RSV in recent years — a byproduct of a lack of exposure to other children and frequent mask wearing — could be another factor, said Dr. Brian McMahon, chairman of the department of pediatrics at Richmond University Medical Center.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) also stills to maintain a presence throughout the country. Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 tracker shows more than 40,000 people have been killed by the disease in the past 28 days.
New York City Health Department data shows an average of 2,527 daily cases are being reported citywide, though hospitalizations and deaths remain low. Staten Island’s case rate has remained steady over the past few months, though overall levels of percent positivity have crept upward in recent days.
