Iowa has the highest influenza-like illness activity in the country according to the Centers for Disease Control. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa’s outpatient influenza-like illness is 5.69%. The regional baseline is 1.7%. However, it was noted that the sites reporting high influenza-like illness are reporting that the majority of illness is due to COVID-19.

The IDPH states that there’s been one flu death in the state since September 27th. Last week there were two influenza-related hospitalizations. People are encouraged to get an annual flu vaccine to help prevent illness and severity of illness. Additional steps people can take to prevent the spread of illness include washing hands frequently with soap and water, covering coughs, and staying home when ill.