CDC Releases Limited Flu Data Amidst Communication Restrictions, Showing Increased Activity
The CDC released flu data on Friday, despite the Trump administration's communication restrictions, showing a concerning rise in flu activity: a 25% positivity rate and increasing ER visits, particularly among children and teens, though the data was released in a less detailed format than usual.
CDC Releases Limited Flu Data Amidst Communication Restrictions, Showing Increased Activity
The CDC released flu data on Friday, despite the Trump administration's communication restrictions, showing a concerning rise in flu activity: a 25% positivity rate and increasing ER visits, particularly among children and teens, though the data was released in a less detailed format than usual.
Progress
24% Bias Score
US 'Quad-demic' Strains Healthcare System
A "quad-demic" of flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus has infected 15 million Americans and killed 30,000 this winter, straining the US healthcare system and prompting some hospitals to reinstate mask mandates and limit visitor hours.
US 'Quad-demic' Strains Healthcare System
A "quad-demic" of flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus has infected 15 million Americans and killed 30,000 this winter, straining the US healthcare system and prompting some hospitals to reinstate mask mandates and limit visitor hours.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Winter Illness Surge: Prevention and Treatment
This winter has seen a surge in common illnesses like flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and colds, likely due to increased indoor time and dry air; preventive measures include frequent handwashing, disinfecting, masking, and vaccination where available.
Winter Illness Surge: Prevention and Treatment
This winter has seen a surge in common illnesses like flu, COVID-19, norovirus, and colds, likely due to increased indoor time and dry air; preventive measures include frequent handwashing, disinfecting, masking, and vaccination where available.
Progress
16% Bias Score
US Hospitals Reinstate Mask Recommendations Amid Respiratory Illness Surge
Multiple US hospitals are reinstating mask recommendations and visitor restrictions due to a surge in respiratory illnesses (flu, COVID-19, RSV, norovirus), causing around 15 million cases and 30,000 deaths this winter, and prompting infection control measures similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.
US Hospitals Reinstate Mask Recommendations Amid Respiratory Illness Surge
Multiple US hospitals are reinstating mask recommendations and visitor restrictions due to a surge in respiratory illnesses (flu, COVID-19, RSV, norovirus), causing around 15 million cases and 30,000 deaths this winter, and prompting infection control measures similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Progress
40% Bias Score
NHS Hospitals Overwhelmed by Surge in Winter Illnesses
A surge in flu, norovirus, RSV, and Covid cases has overwhelmed Britain's hospitals, leading to critical incidents in a dozen trusts and long waits for patients, with East Cheshire NHS Trust showing the highest infection rate at 19 percent of beds occupied by patients with these illnesses.
NHS Hospitals Overwhelmed by Surge in Winter Illnesses
A surge in flu, norovirus, RSV, and Covid cases has overwhelmed Britain's hospitals, leading to critical incidents in a dozen trusts and long waits for patients, with East Cheshire NHS Trust showing the highest infection rate at 19 percent of beds occupied by patients with these illnesses.
Progress
52% Bias Score
400+ Face 12-Hour Hospital Bed Wait in Northern Ireland
Over 400 patients in Northern Ireland faced 12+ hour waits for hospital beds on Sunday night due to a combination of high demand, a cold snap, a peaking flu season, and insufficient social care support; staff suggest solutions including army assistance and regulatory changes.
400+ Face 12-Hour Hospital Bed Wait in Northern Ireland
Over 400 patients in Northern Ireland faced 12+ hour waits for hospital beds on Sunday night due to a combination of high demand, a cold snap, a peaking flu season, and insufficient social care support; staff suggest solutions including army assistance and regulatory changes.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Flu Cases Stabilizing in Canada, but Regional Variations Persist
As of mid-January 2024, flu cases in Canada are stabilizing nationally at 11.8 percent positivity, although Ontario shows 13.5 percent, exceeding the national average of 8.5 percent; COVID-19 and RSV infections are declining, with the highest RSV rates in the prairie provinces (11.9 percent).
Flu Cases Stabilizing in Canada, but Regional Variations Persist
As of mid-January 2024, flu cases in Canada are stabilizing nationally at 11.8 percent positivity, although Ontario shows 13.5 percent, exceeding the national average of 8.5 percent; COVID-19 and RSV infections are declining, with the highest RSV rates in the prairie provinces (11.9 percent).
Progress
12% Bias Score
French Hospitals Overwhelmed by Early, Intense Flu Season
Around 100 French hospitals activated emergency plans due to a pre-Christmas flu surge hospitalizing nearly 4,000 patients in early January; experts cite insufficient vaccination and pre-existing healthcare pressures as contributing factors alongside three circulating viral strains.
French Hospitals Overwhelmed by Early, Intense Flu Season
Around 100 French hospitals activated emergency plans due to a pre-Christmas flu surge hospitalizing nearly 4,000 patients in early January; experts cite insufficient vaccination and pre-existing healthcare pressures as contributing factors alongside three circulating viral strains.
Progress
12% Bias Score
Low Flu Vaccination Rates Strain European Healthcare Systems
Europe is experiencing a severe influenza season, with low vaccination rates among high-risk groups (elderly, healthcare workers) leading to increased strain on healthcare systems and an estimated 27,600 annual influenza deaths in the EU and UK; public health officials are urging improved vaccinatio...
Low Flu Vaccination Rates Strain European Healthcare Systems
Europe is experiencing a severe influenza season, with low vaccination rates among high-risk groups (elderly, healthcare workers) leading to increased strain on healthcare systems and an estimated 27,600 annual influenza deaths in the EU and UK; public health officials are urging improved vaccinatio...
Progress
36% Bias Score
Severe Winter Respiratory Virus Season Grips U.S.
A severe winter respiratory virus season is gripping the U.S., with influenza spiking, and RSV, whooping cough, and COVID-19 also widespread, causing high hospitalization rates and significant disruptions to work and school nationwide.
Severe Winter Respiratory Virus Season Grips U.S.
A severe winter respiratory virus season is gripping the U.S., with influenza spiking, and RSV, whooping cough, and COVID-19 also widespread, causing high hospitalization rates and significant disruptions to work and school nationwide.
Progress
24% Bias Score
Scottish NHS A&E Performance Hits Joint Fifth Worst Weekly Record Amidst Flu Surge
Scotland's NHS faces "very high levels of winter pressure" due to a flu surge hospitalizing over 1,500 people in the final week of 2024; only 58.4% of A&E patients were seen within four hours, the joint fifth-worst weekly performance on record, prompting criticism of the SNP government's handling of...
Scottish NHS A&E Performance Hits Joint Fifth Worst Weekly Record Amidst Flu Surge
Scotland's NHS faces "very high levels of winter pressure" due to a flu surge hospitalizing over 1,500 people in the final week of 2024; only 58.4% of A&E patients were seen within four hours, the joint fifth-worst weekly performance on record, prompting criticism of the SNP government's handling of...
Progress
44% Bias Score
UK Hospitals Restrict Visitors Amid Flu Surge
Four NHS trusts in the UK have restricted hospital visitors due to a flu surge, with over 4,500 flu patients hospitalized daily last week—a 3.5-fold increase year-on-year, prompting mask mandates and limited visiting hours amid an impending cold snap.
UK Hospitals Restrict Visitors Amid Flu Surge
Four NHS trusts in the UK have restricted hospital visitors due to a flu surge, with over 4,500 flu patients hospitalized daily last week—a 3.5-fold increase year-on-year, prompting mask mandates and limited visiting hours amid an impending cold snap.
Progress
48% Bias Score