• California is facing one of the worst flu seasons, with hospitalizations rising sharply.
• Flu-related deaths in the U.S. have surpassed COVID-19 fatalities for the first time since early 2020.
• Experts warn that hospital visits for influenza are expected to remain high for weeks.

The flu season in California has reached alarming levels, prompting health officials to declare it one of the most severe in years. According to the California Department of Public Health, the rate of influenza tests returning positive has surged to 27.8% as of early February, surpassing the national average of approximately 31.6%. This surge has resulted in substantial increases in flu-related hospitalizations across the state, with rates hitting around 10 per 100,000 people hospitalized, marking the highest for this flu season. The data indicates that flu deaths in the United States could be upwards of 11,000, eclipsing COVID-19 fatalities for the week ending January 25, where flu attributed deaths accounted for 1.7% of total deaths compared to COVID-19's 1.5% according to the CDC.

Health experts like Dr. John Swartzberg from UC Berkeley have noted that this season seems poised to be one of the four worst flu seasons of the century, given the heightened activity observed. Factors contributing to the flu's severity include the predominance of harsher strains like H1N1 and H3N2, which lead to more severe symptoms prompting patients to seek medical attention more frequently. Additionally, many individuals have eased up on preventive measures, such as masking, amid decreased COVID-19 numbers, thus allowing the flu virus to spread more easily. For instance, California reported flu rates of 27.8% and COVID-19 at just 2.4% in early February.

Tragically, this season has also seen at least 10 pediatric flu deaths in California alone, emphasizing the importance of vaccinations. The vaccination rate for children in the state currently lags at 47.7%, the lowest since the 2019-20 flu season. Health officials, including Dr. Ankita Kadakia from San Diego County, have urged vaccinations as the best protection against severe illness. Despite the ongoing flu crisis, the intensity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 activity remains low, presenting a unique scenario where the public must navigate flu risks primarily.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that flu activity will remain elevated for an extended period, officials are reiterating the necessity of flu vaccinations for individuals aged 6 months and older, encouraging everyone who hasn't yet received the vaccine to do so immediately. This surge in flu activity is not localized, with the CDC reporting that influenza activity is deemed very high across 33 states. The health impacts of this unprecedented flu season call for continued public awareness and intervention, as deaths from the flu have alarmingly overtaken COVID-19 fatalities for the first time since the pandemic began, highlighting an urgent need for vaccinations.

For more insights on the flu situation in California, visit SFGATE, LA Times, and CBS News.