August 22, 2022 – Each week, we will compile the latest data regarding flu and COVID-19 cases in the United States. As things change, we hope that this information will paint a better picture of what to look for in emerging COVID variant and in the upcoming flu season.
According to the CDC’s Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, there have been 165 positive influenza specimens out of a total of 41,657 specimens tested in clinical laboratories, a slight decrease from last week. Influenza A makes up 147 of those cases, while Influenza B makes up 18 of the cases. The data from clinical laboratories are used to monitor whether flu activity is increasing or decreasing.
The CDC’s COVID-19 tracker reports that there are a daily average of 95,652 new cases and a daily average of 6,003 new hospitalizations as of August 17. The positive cases have decreased 9.9% from the previous 7-day moving average (106,116). BA. 2 Omicron subvariant is projected to continue to be the dominant strain in the United States, causing over 100% of all cases.
As students go back to school, the CDC has released new COVID-19 guidance. The new guidance is designed to help schools protect students and staff. The CDC is suggesting for students to stay home when they are sick, get tested if they are experiencing symptoms, mask up in communities with high levels of COVID-19, and practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.