LOS ANGELES, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- The latest data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the number of respiratory disease cases has surged across the United States recently, and the number of influenza and new crown hospitalizations has continued to rise, putting pressure on the medical system.
Flu season in the U.S. usually falls and winters, peaking from December to February. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there have been at least 5.3 million infections in the U.S. during the current flu season, including 5 hospitalizations40,000 cases and 3,200 deaths. The data shows that flu cases continue to increase in most parts of the United States, and the number of weekly flu hospitalizations continues to rise. In the week ending Dec. 16, there were more than 9,800 influenza hospitalizations nationwide. A total of 14 child deaths have been reported in the United States this flu season.
Public health experts say the recent surge in respiratory illness cases in the United States is linked to a number of factors, including increased holiday gatherings, low vaccination rates and increased transmissibility of new coronavirus variants. The combined risks of influenza and COVID have put the U.S. healthcare system under tremendous strain. Health experts are urging the public to take precautions, including vaccination, following public health requirements, etc., to reduce the rate of virus transmission and severe disease.