Dept. of Health Provides Flu Update

On May 28, the Pa. Dept. of Health provided an update on the 2020-2021 flu season, which was one of the mildest flu seasons on record and ended on May 22.

Flu activity remained low across the commonwealth and nationally the entire season. The 2020-21 season, with the co-circulation of COVID-19, was comparable to the 2015-16 season when the H1N1 flu virus predominated.

As of May 22, there have been 3,664 laboratory-confirmed flu cases and 21 flu-associated deaths statewide. This is a 95 percent decrease from cumulative count of cases at the end of the 2019-20 flu season.

Influenza A and B were identified by laboratory testing in all 67 counties. The percent of outpatient visits associated with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) was low and stayed below the state epidemic threshold.

A total of 45 influenza associated hospitalizations were reported in Pennsylvania during the current flu season. The full flu report can be found on the 2020-2021 flu season webpage.

Additionally, it was reported nationally that the drop of flu cases occurred despite a sixfold increase in testing at public health labs, most of which test for influenza A and B along with COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended health care providers test patients who have COVID-19-like symptoms for both flu and COVID-19, because it is impossible to differentiate between the two viruses without testing, and patients can have both viruses at the same time.