Title: Flu Activity Increases Across the Country; New Jersey Sees Surge in Cases
Flu activity in New Jersey has rapidly escalated from moderate to high, in line with the nationwide surge in cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a 6.8 percent rise in flu cases across the country, with the A(H1N1) strain being the most commonly reported.
Although the flu season’s death toll has now reached 12, with four children losing their lives last week, none of these fatalities occurred in New Jersey. As per the CDC’s estimations, there have been at least 2.6 million flu illnesses reported this season, along with 26,000 hospitalizations and 1,600 flu-related deaths.
The southeast and south-central regions of the United States are currently experiencing the highest levels of flu activity. In total, 15 states, including New Jersey, are classified as having high or very high flu activity levels.
The CDC has predicted that flu cases will continue to rise in the coming weeks. They anticipate that the week ending December 23 could see an estimated 4,500 to 15,000 flu-related hospitalizations being reported.
In addition to the flu, COVID-19 hospitalizations have also surged by 10 percent nationally during the week ending November 25. Furthermore, cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common respiratory infection, have been steadily increasing since mid-September. This viral illness peaked in late November and early December.
In response to these concerning trends, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen strongly advises individuals to ensure they are up to date with their COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Additionally, individuals over 60 years old are recommended to receive the RSV vaccine.
To prevent the spread of these respiratory illnesses, health officials stress the importance of taking additional precautions such as wearing masks, maintaining thorough hand hygiene, improving ventilation in indoor spaces, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
In a significant move, free COVID-19 testing kits are now available for every household in the United States. Each household has the option to order up to eight tests, facilitating easy access to testing and timely detection of the virus.
As flu cases continue to climb across the country, including in New Jersey, it is crucial for individuals to heed the recommendations of health officials and take necessary steps to protect themselves and others from these respiratory illnesses.
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