While overall influenza activity remained low for the week ending Nov. 4, the CDC noted an increase in flu-like illnesses, according to the agency's most recent update on flu activity for the 2017-18 flu season.
Here are four things to know.
1. The percentage of respiratory specimens that tested positive for influenza in clinical laboratories remained low for the week. The most frequently identified virus type in positive specimens was influenza A.
2. The percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness for the week was 1.8 percent. This figure sits below the national baseline of 2.2 percent, but represents a 0.3 percent uptick from the week prior and the second consecutive week of a reported increase.
3. The number of influenza-related pediatric deaths for the 2017-18 flu season remained at one.
4. Guam and six states reported regional flu activity for the week; 13 states reported local flu activity; Washington, D.C., and 31 states reported sporadic flu activity; one state reported no activity; and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico did not give the CDC a report on flu activity.
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