Flu season set to peak early; may collide with holidays

This year’s flu season is on track to peak very early, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, the reported cases of influenza are soaring just in time for the holidays, which traditionally bring more visitors to senior living facilities.

The number of reported cases for the week of December 3-7 is the highest in the past four seasons, with the exception of the 2009 pandemic year, according to the CDC. In most seasons, the peak of flu season isn’t until February 1–28.

The states where flu is currently most widespread are Alaska, Mississippi, New York and South Carolina. But the current hotbeds for flu-like activity are from Texas to Tennessee, where outbreaks have soared this week.

Source: CDC

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Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.