U.S. flu tests show one in three positive over holidays

The CDC reported about 32.9% of U.S. influenza tests were positive for the week ending Dec. 27 and hospitalizations increased; Canada is set to release federal flu data on Friday.

U.S. surveillance data shows increased influenza activity over the holiday period. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported about 32.9 per cent of influenza tests were positive for the week ending Dec. 27 and hospitalizations rose that week. Canada is due to release federal influenza data on Friday, and recent Health Canada figures reported a 27.7 per cent test positivity rate for the week ending Dec. 13. Key reported points: - The CDC said about 32.9% of influenza tests were positive for the week ending Dec. 27, up from 25.6% the prior week. - U.S. hospitalizations linked to influenza increased to about 31.3 per 100,000 for that week, and the number of people hospitalized rose compared with the previous week. - Health officials reported H3N2 subclade K as the dominant strain in the U.S. and Canada; Canada will publish federal data on Friday and had a 27.7% positivity rate for the week ending Dec. 13. Summary: U.S. data reported by the CDC indicates a holiday-period rise in influenza test positivity and hospitalizations. Canada’s pending federal release will provide updated national figures; further national trends are undetermined at this time.