Flu cases in Michigan and nationally remain low during COVID pandemic

Flu cases in Michigan continue to remain low during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 24 patient visits due to influenza like illness (ILI) was reported out of 7,193 office visits in Michigan for the week ended Feb. 6. That is a 0.3 ILI activity rate for the state which is a considerable drop from last week’s 0.7 percent.

A year ago on Feb. 8, 2020, it was at 4.0 percent when there were 482 patient visits out of 12,034 office visits.

Comparatively, the number nationally is 1.1 percent of outpatient visits which is the same as last week. It’s substantially lower than it was a year ago when it stood at 4.0 percent.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that seasonal flu activity is lower than usual this year nationally.

ILI is defined as a fever (higher than 100 degrees) and a cough and/or a sore throat without a known cause other than influenza.

Nationally one pediatric death due to the flu has been confirmed for the 2020-2021 flu season. No pediatric deaths have been reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. At this time last year 92 pediatric deaths due to the flu had been reported nationally with two confirmed by the MDHHS.

This article originally appeared in The Oakland Press, read more here.