Great news! So far, flu this season is down 98%. As of December 19, 2020, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has tested .2%, or 855 cases, positive. These 855 cases are counted from September 27, 2020, when flu season officially begins. This is compared with 2019 numbers when the positive cases were at 39,501. That is a 98% drop. However, in 2019 mask mandates and quarantines were unheard of.
Where Does The Data Originate
These statistics are based on all 50 states. As of December 19, 2020, fifty-four jurisdictions are classified as having “minimal” flu activity. Alongside America’s data, worldwide flu numbers are down [1].
Reason For Lower Numbers
Several hypotheses exist for the low flu numbers. Some attribute the lower numbers to the flu vaccine. However, other countries do not use the flu vaccine. Besides, the annual flu vaccine is only 40-60% effective.
A separate contributing factor to lower numbers is the covid virus. People worldwide are washing their hands and practicing social distancing. These two factors lower the instance of numerous diseases and viruses.
All that being said, it’s nice to know that the flu virus is not making a huge comeback this year, on top of everything else going on.
Notes:
- ^https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/only-855-confirmed-cases-of-the-flu-so-far-this-year-down-98-from-2019/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1042702&refcd=1042702&utm_source=ENewsletter&seid=90767175 (go back ↩)
