""What the CDC is saying is that people weren't seeking care during the holidays," Teichman explained."
""If people were sick with the flu but not getting tested, flu rates would appear lower - even if they're not.""
""It's not really clear if the cases are going down because the actual incidence of infection is going down, which I hope is the case, or if it's just backlog or less people seeking care and testing during the holidays and right after the holidays," Sood added."
""It's good to see that cases may be starting to tail off, but I would caution people that it's still early days ... we would want to see a continuing trend, a downward trend, before we let down our guard," said Dr. Daniel R. Kuritzkes, senior physician in the division of infectious diseases at Mass General Brigham in Boston."
Positive flu test positivity fell from 32.9% in late December to 24.7% in early January. Reduced care-seeking and testing during the holidays likely suppressed reported case counts and created potential backlogs, making current rates uncertain. Some individuals may have recovered at home without testing after holiday time off. A sustained and consistent downward trend is necessary before concluding infections are declining. Cases commonly peak in February and could rise again. A slight mismatch between the circulating influenza strain and the vaccine—caused by a new strain emerging after formulation—likely contributed to a rough season. Flu hospitalizations and deaths are increasing nationwide.
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