U.S. hospitals are reporting a lower flu hospitalization rate than the past two seasons at this point in the year, though admissions remain elevated compared to many previous seasons.
The cumulative flu hospitalization rate was 2.1 per 100,000 population for the week ending Nov. 30, according to the CDC's latest FluView report. This figure is three times lower than last season's rate but still higher than the cumulative weekly rate for nine of the past 14 flu seasons.
The CDC estimates there have been 9,900 to 22,000 flu hospitalizations nationwide this season, covering admissions through Nov. 30.
Here's how current flu hospitalization figures compare to those of past seasons, based on data from the CDC.
Note: A hospitalization estimate is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
|
Season |
Cumulative hospitalization rate for week ending Nov. 30 |
Total estimated hospitalizations for the season |
|
2024-2025 |
2.1 |
9,900 to 22,000 (through Nov. 30) |
|
2023-2024* |
6.6 |
440,000 |
|
2022-2023* |
27.6 |
360,000 |
|
2021-2022* |
0.7 |
100,000 |
|
2020-2021 |
0.2 |
N/A |
|
2019-2020 |
2.9 |
390,000 |
|
2018-2019 |
1.7 |
370,000 |
|
2017-2018 |
3.5 |
710,000 |
|
2016-2017 |
1.5 |
490,000 |
|
2015-2016 |
0.6 |
2780,000 |
|
2014-2015 |
2.4 |
590,000 |
|
2013-2014 |
1.5 |
340,000 |
|
2012-2013 |
1.8 |
570,000 |
|
2011-2012 |
0.2 |
130,000 |
|
2010-2011 |
0.8 |
280,000 |
*Estimates for the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons are preliminary.