According to current data, Influenza and Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) have remained far lower than in past seasons, but health professionals are urging caution in interpreting the data and have voiced concerns regarding a rise in cases early in 2021.
Influenza Activity Remains Low But Officials Urge Caution
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported ILI cases currently stand at 1.6% for the fourth consecutive week--far below the national average of 2.6%.
Additionally, the CDC has reported that:
- Respiratory specimens submitted to clinical labs testing positive for influenza stands at 0.3% for the week of December 12th.
- Only one pediatric fatality attributed to influenza has been reported for the season, nation-wide, and;
- Hospitalization data is currently unavailable, but likely far lower than in previous years.
On the surface, the data would suggest that increases in activities designed to curb the spread of COVID-19 and reported increases in influenza vaccination rates had impacted the spread of influenza, a sentiment supported by the media.
According to a recent article published by ABC News;
Hospitals across the U.S. are nearing critical capacity due to the rise in COVID-19 cases just as the winter flu season begins to threaten the country.
Public officials and doctors worry that the worst is yet to come, but increased rates of flu vaccinations this year may help us avoid further catastrophic stress on our health care system.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's tracking of flu vaccine distribution over the years shows that so far in the 2020-2021 flu season, 189.4 million flu vaccines have been distributed in the U.S., compared to 174 million in the 2019-2020 season.
This, paired with stay-at-home orders, masking, and social distancing, means there are fewer cases of the flu this year than ever before.
Doctors are noticing [fewer] clinic visits and hospital admissions for the flu and pharmacies are filling fewer prescriptions for the antiviral medications physicians prescribe for influenza.
Flu numbers are down this year due to higher vaccination rates amid COVID pandemic
However, healthcare officials urge caution in interpreting the data.
According to a statement provided by the CDC on the FluView website;
Please note, the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) monitors outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI), not laboratory-confirmed influenza, and as such, will capture visits due to other respiratory pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, that present with similar symptoms.
In addition, healthcare-seeking behaviors have changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many people are accessing the healthcare system in alternative settings which may or may not be captured as a part of ILINet. Therefore, ILI data, including ILI activity levels, should be interpreted with extreme caution.
It is particularly important at this time to evaluate syndromic surveillance data, including that from ILINet, in the context of other sources of surveillance data to obtain a complete and accurate picture of both influenza and COVID-19 activity.
As such, facility managers, district supervisors, school administrators, and business owners must maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and facility hygiene to protect building occupants.
Disinfection Best Practices to Improve Occupant Safety and Satisfaction
Cleaning for health in a manner that improves occupant safety and satisfaction is a multi-tiered task, which includes:
- Enhanced Cleaning - Using high-quality commercial-grade detergents applied with state of the art tools--microfiber and no-touch scrubber-vacs--and removing soil on carpet and furniture with commercial-grade HEPA filtered vacuums every day a facility is occupied.
- Touchpoint Disinfection - Disinfecting high-touch surfaces with a product approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against the pathogens that cause Pneumonia, Influenza, and COVID (PIC) several times per day in accordance with facility occupancy and use.
- Advanced Training - Commercial janitorial services is a science and requires ongoing training, not only in the use of state of the art equipment, but in cleaning methods that are designed to prevent the transmission of dirt, germs, and bacteria from one surface or room to another--referred to as cross-contamination.
- Communication - In the past, it was typically acceptable to assume a facility had been recently cleaned by the smell of bleach in the air. Those days are long gone, and good riddance. Facility occupants want to see signage and emails detailing the cleaning teams' efforts to protect them, not only from COVID and other pathogens but also from the harmful effects of conventional toxic disinfectant products, and what steps are being employed to protect the environment.
References & Resources
- Flu Activity Reaches Moderate Level In One State
- Combat Concerns With The Best Disinfection Practices
Takeaway
At first glance, it would appear that we, at least for the time being, stand victorious over seasonal viral influenza and pneumonia.
However, health officials urge caution in interpreting the data and suggest a potential rise in cases early next year--well before COVID-19 vaccinations are widely available.
If current trends continue, even a small spike in ILI cases requiring hospitalization could prove extremely problematic for many healthcare facilities.
To combat that potential future and protect the public's health and safety, enhanced cleaning and infection control combined with over communication to facility occupants regarding the state of the art services provided by highly trained janitorial service providers is necessary.
Outsourcing is a proven method for ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and safety are adhered to.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield, CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno, CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
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