Tennessee flu rates show improvement but still remain among highest in the nation and the South

Frank Gluck, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Tennessee is one of three Southern states that continues to have "very high" levels of flu-like activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, data suggests the virus may be on the retreat.

As of Jan. 26, the only other states in the South reporting such levels of illness were South Carolina and Louisiana, the CDC reported. The rest of the region is reporting "high" activity levels, though Florida has been downgraded to "moderate" levels of flu spread.

There have, so far, been 57 reported pediatric flu deaths this season, according to the CDC.

A map by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlining the 2023-24 Influenza Season Week 3 ending Jan. 20, 2024.
A map by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlining the 2023-24 Influenza Season Week 3 ending Jan. 20, 2024.

All statewide data is preliminary. Ratings on activity levels are based on reports of influenza-like illnesses reported by health centers in given jurisdictions as compared to reports during non-flu season months.

Key national flu findings

According to the CDC:

  • Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated in most parts of the country

  • Key flu indicators have decreased or remained stable nationally for three weeks.

  • The number of weekly flu hospital admissions has decreased for three consecutive weeks.

  • There have been at least 18 million illnesses, 210,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths from flu so far this season.

Tennessee flu cases remain high but are dropping

According to the most recent information from the Tennessee Department of Health, the percentage of outpatient visits related to flu-like illnesses dropped from 11.1% to 9.5%. Even so, the percentage of laboratory-confirmed cases were up from 16.6% to 21.5%, the department reported on Jan. 13.

Tennessee has reported two pediatric flu deaths this season.

The statewide average is 9.5%, according to the department. The regions with the highest rates are as follows:

  • Memphis/ShelbyCountyMetro (15.6%)

  • Chattanooga/HamiltonCountyMetro (12.1%)

  • Southeast Tennessee (8.4%)

  • Nashville/DavidsonCountyMetro (8%).

Frank Gluck is the health care reporter for The Tennessean. He can be reached at fgluck@tennessean.com. Follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @FrankGluck.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee flu rates still lead the nation. See where cases are highest