Chicago is experiencing its highest levels of flu-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations since 2022 as cases surge across parts of the United States, health officials said Friday.
The Chicago Department of Public Health published updated data, which showed flu activity rose from “high” to “very high” and continues to increase significantly “across all indicators.” ER visits and hospitalizations increased across all categories but most notably among children under 17 years old.
Flu activity is also “very high” across Illinois, according to data from the most recent reported week.
Admissions rose to 5.17%, approaching last season’s peak of 6.8% on Feb. 8, 2025.
According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, which was based on data from nearly two weeks ago, flu activity was at “high” or “very high” levels in 32 states and jurisdictions – up from 17 the week before. Illinois had a “low” flu activity level at that time.
Overall respiratory illness activity has reached “high” levels statewide, with hospital admissions for COVID-19, the flu and RSV rising between Dec. 20 and Dec. 27. In Chicago, overall activity climbed from “moderate” to “high.”
As of Friday, RSV activity remained “moderate” and COVID-19 activity was “low” but had recently increased. Statewide, RSV admissions rose slightly from 0.36% to 0.48% over the most recent measurable week. In Chicago, however, emergency room visits and hospitalizations for RSV were similar to the prior week remain lower than the previous three seasons.
COVID-19 hospitalizations increased statewide from 1.12% to 1.64%, between Dec. 20 to Dec. 27. In Chicago, health officials noted emergency room visits and hospitalizations remain “low” but are the highest since spring and continue to increase.
Among all respiratory illnesses statewide, flu hospitalizations saw the greatest increase; numbers more than doubled from 2.30% to 5.17%.
Medical providers have warned flu season won’t be over for a while, and a rise in cases is likely over at least the next several weeks, NBC News reported. Illnesses aren’t expected to level off until the end of January or possibly February.
While you might wonder if it’s too late in the season to get your flu shot, doctors widely assert it’s not the case; even getting a shot now can provide meaningful protection.
This year’s flu shot has a component of H3N2, the dominant strain spreading fast nationwide. However, it doesn’t match perfectly with the mutated strain, Dr. Molly Fleece, associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, told NBC News.
“That’s because the subclade mutated and spread after the vaccines were already selected for the year,” Fleece said.
But that doesn’t mean the vaccine isn’t effective, she added.
“It may mean that more people will be susceptible to getting the flu … but we know from historical data the vaccine is still very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death,” the doctor stated.
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