Flu activity remained elevated, but decreased in most areas. The proportion of people seeing their health care provider for influenza-like illness continued to decrease for the third consecutive week. Most regions are showing stable or declining levels of flu activity.Last week, 3.2% of patient visits reported through the agency's surveillance network were due to influenza-like illness, defined as a fever of 100 degrees F and cough and/or sore throat. The national baseline is 2.2%.
Eleven states reported high activity, compared to 19 the week before, the agency reported, and 31 states reported widespread geographic activity compared to 38 the week before.
Hospitalization rates seem to be leveling off again this week, but remain high among people 65 and older, who account for more than half of all reported hospitalizations.
