Flu Spikes In CA, Marking State's First Pediatric Death

CALIFORNIA — Flu activity continues to climb in California as the state recorded 23 flu deaths last week — including the first pediatric fatality of the year. As cases spike across the country, federal regulators recommended people wear a mask amid increasing cases of COVID-19 and RSV.

Across the country, flu cases trended up 10.2 percent for the week ending Dec. 9, according to updated data published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most frequently reported strain was A(H1N1).

Four children died of flu last week across the country, bringing the season’s total to 14. California earlier this week reported its first pediatric flu death, a child younger than 5 who was pronounced dead at a hospital in the Coachella Valley. The child tested positive for influenza A and did not have any underlying health conditions, according to Riverside University Health System-Public Health.

The state has seen 55 influenza deaths so far this season, nearly half of which were recorded in the week ending Dec. 9, the most recent reporting period. The majority, 42, have been people 65 or older, according to data from the California Department of Public Health.

"Seasonal influenza activity is elevated in most parts of the country, with the southeast, south-central, and west coast areas of the country reporting the highest levels of activity," the CDC said.

The CDC expects cases to continue to rise, with 4,500-15,000 flu hospitalizations likely reported in the week ending Dec. 23.

The flu spike comes as both hospitalizations for COVID-19 and COVID deaths rose about 3 percent nationally during the week ending Dec. 9, for which the most recent data was available. More than 23,000 people were hospitalized that week.

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 3.7 million illnesses, 38,000 hospitalizations, and 2,300 deaths from flu so far this season nationally.

RSV cases have steadily climbed nationally as well, rapidly increasing since mid-September and peaking in late November and into early December.

California health officials say RSV activity remains elevated in the state, though the positivity rate dropped in the week ending Dec. 9. Twenty five RSV deaths have been recorded in the state so far this year, 20 of which were people 65 or older, according to CDPH data.

On Wednesday, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen released a video declaring “Virus season is here!” RSV is elevated in the United States, while flu continues to increase and COVID-19 starts to increase, she said. The country is also seeing rising cases of pneumonia.

“We’re seeing more respiratory illnesses and pneumonias in the United States and around the world,” Cohen said. “But right now we’re not seeing anything new or unfamiliar in terms of virus or sickness.”

Cohen recommended people protect themselves and their families from sickness by getting updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and RSV vaccines for people over 60 years old. She also recommended that people take additional precautions, such as avoiding people who are sick, washing hands, improving ventilation and wearing a mask.

Those who are sick ought to stay home, get tested and seek treatment.

In November, the federal government said every home in the United States can order an additional four free tests. Those who did not order free tests over the fall can place two orders for a total of eight tests.