Second Wave of Flu Hits US as Hospitals Struggle with Overcrowding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A second wave of influenza is surging across the United States, straining hospitals and urgent care centers nationwide. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and continues to rise, with nearly one-third of flu tests yielding positive results.

The CDC reported that the week ending February 1 saw positive results increase to nearly 33% from 25% the previous week. This uptick coincides with patients experiencing complications from earlier flu infections, with up to a third of hospitalized flu patients developing bacterial pneumonia within weeks of their acute illness. As of now, at least 24 million Americans have fallen ill this flu season.

Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease expert at Duke University Medical Center, expressed concern, stating, “I don’t think we know where the peaks are yet, which is a bit disconcerting.” The CDC statistics reveal that, so far, 13,000 people have died from the flu this season. Experts anticipate the death toll may rise, with projections estimating a total of 20,000 to 30,000 deaths.

Last week, the CDC registered ten new pediatric deaths from the flu, bringing the total to 57 for the season. Dr. Todd Rice from Vanderbilt University Medical Center highlighted the potential for the flu’s resurgence to lead to a “double hit” on hospitalizations, particularly as infections increase and patients develop secondary bacterial infections.

Most current cases are attributed to influenza A strains, particularly H1N1 and H3N2, which tend to cause more severe symptoms. As the flu season progresses, hospitals are feeling the pressure. Emergency rooms nationwide are overcrowded, with some facilities implementing visitor restrictions.

According to the CDC, outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses reached their highest level since the swine flu pandemic in 2009-2010. “We are right now in the middle of a nationwide epidemic of seasonal influenza that is filling emergency rooms,” Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, stated.

Specifically, the current season has seen an influx of cases in Tennessee, California, and South Carolina, with hospitalizations particularly high among seniors. Hospitals are experiencing a surge in patients needing respiratory support due to flu and other respiratory illnesses that often accompany this time of year.

In California, Dr. Francesca Torriani noted that flu-related emergency department visits in San Diego County are nearly double those from last year, prompting Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center to set up a temporary tent outside their emergency department to triage low-risk patients.

The CDC’s estimates reflect the ongoing trends in flu activity, with 310,000 hospitalizations attributed to the virus so far this season. Wastewater surveillance also indicates that influenza A remains at “high” levels across the country.

Dr. David Janz suggested that hospitals are not yet seeing the peak of this season’s flu activity. “We aren’t even halfway up [last year’s] curve of influenza hospitalizations,” he said in mid-January.

Health experts continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure. The current flu vaccine is designed to protect against the major types affecting the population, including two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain.

As symptoms of the flu can range from mild to severe, many people are able to recover at home. However, those experiencing difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms should seek medical attention. “It’s not too late to get your flu shot,” expert Caroline Kee reiterated, highlighting the importance of vaccination to protect against potential complications.