Thanks in large part to social distancing and wearing masks – as well as the increased absorption of the flu vaccine – flu deaths this season are almost non-existent.
Why does it matter: The drastic decline in influenza infections and other circulating respiratory viruses has given the US health system a welcome respite at a time when COVID-19 is unleashing.
By numbers: According to the CDC, the United States recorded only five flu deaths in the 52nd week of 2020, a period that usually represents the height of the flu season.
- This is 40 times fewer deaths than in the same week in 2019 and 130 times fewer deaths than during the bad flu season of 2017.
- According to data from BioFire Diagnostics, the levels of almost every common respiratory and gastrointestinal virus are currently almost undetectable.
How it works: It seems that if you drastically reduce global travel, close jobs and public schools, and promote clothing and hand washing, you will eliminate opportunities for the spread of common pathogens.
- It also helps that a record number of doses of flu vaccine have been delivered this season and it is estimated that 53-54% of American adults received a stroke by the end of December, significantly higher than in the same period. of last year.
The whole picture: Historically, low levels of influenza and other common viruses occur at the same time, the US COVID-19 pandemic is at its worst.
- Not surprisingly, while common viruses have been circulating for years and there is a basic level of resistance in the population, no one encountered SARS-CoV-2 before it appeared in China a year ago and the virus continues to spread. spread rapidly through the vulnerable population.
What to look for: With each passing week with unusually low levels of influenza, the susceptibility to the virus will increase, creating a harsh rejection in the US in the future.
- This may be the case in Australia, where flu cases during its winter season were virtually non-existent, only to return in December, when the flu is usually absent in the southern hemisphere.
Bottom line: While it’s good to see fewer flu deaths, SARS-CoV-2 devastates the United States on a completely different scale, with more Americans dying from COVID-19 last week than the full number of flu deaths this season. last.