Respiratory Illness Spreading: 11 States, Including Tennessee, Show High Activity

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an increase in respiratory illness activity in several states, with Louisiana and South Carolina experiencing the most severe "very high" flu activity. Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Texas are classified as having "high" respiratory illness activity. The CDC's surveillance map captures data based on people reporting flu-like symptoms to healthcare facilities, but it may include other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 or miss cases where people are self-treating at home. Experts predict this year's flu season will be within the typical range of severity, and flu shots are already available alongside COVID-19 boosters.