Flu infections are growing or likely growing in 46 states, according to CDC epidemic trend estimates current as of Oct. 14, The Sick Times reported in its Oct. 20 national tracker. The same CDC estimates placed COVID-19 in the growing or likely growing category in 11 states. The flu figure arrives as the CDC promotes a new tracking site meant to spot local outbreak peaks sooner.
For families, the number is a timing signal rather than a severity warning. It suggests flu is gaining ground across most of the country weeks before the usual winter peak, which matters most for households with infants, older parents or relatives with chronic illness who have not yet been vaccinated. It says nothing about how many people will end up in the hospital.
