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Severe flu activity spreads across the DMV region

Virginia is among 11 states with the highest levels of influenza according to the latest numbers from the CDC.

WASHINGTON — Across the United States, health officials are reporting high respiratory illness activity, as the flu continues to spread high in numbers. 

The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia are all registering very high flu activity levels according to the data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nearly 20,000 people in the U.S. were hospitalized for flu last week, almost double the number of admissions from the week before, according to data updated Friday. Health officials say the latest numbers do not reflect the full effects of holiday gatherings because it only captures two days past Thanksgiving. 

So far this season, the CDC estimates that there have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations, and 4,500 deaths from influenza. 

The influenza map for the week ending on Nov. 26 shows most states are registering 'high' or 'very high activity. Virginia is among the 11 states and New York City that are in the most severe category.

Credit: CDC

The Virginia Health Department reported the first pediatric flu-related death this season on Dec. 1  The child between the ages of 5-12 years old died in southwest Virginia according to health officials. 

“We offer our deepest condolences to the family of this child,” said State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene in a statement. “Flu can be a very dangerous illness. With Virginia and many other states experiencing high or very high levels of flu activity, I urge everyone who is eligible to receive the flu vaccine to do so as soon as possible, consulting your physician as needed," she added.  

A closer look into the commonwealth's data shows that children between 0-4 years old made up close to 22% of the flu-related hospitalizations last week. During that same time period, Virginia investigated 17 influenza outbreaks. 

Virginia is experiencing early and very high flu activity during the current 2022-23 flu season compared to the previous season according to the health department. 

D.C. and Maryland are just below Virginia also with very high flu activity.

With flu, RS, and Covid-19 putting a strain on hospitals, health experts are urging everyone 6 months & older to get their yearly flu vaccine.  They are also asking residents to practice good preventive health with hand hygiene like washing hands with soap regularly, sneezing into a tissue or elbow, and staying home when feeling sick.  They are also recommending people take antivirals as prescribed by physicians. 

Painkillers for children are getting harder to find with respiratory illnesses on the rise. The maker of Children's Tylenol and Children's Motrin, Johnson, and Johnson, is increasing production to meet the high demand. 

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