In a recent release of data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tennessee has emerged as the only state in the nation with the highest level of sickness. The report indicates that the number of individuals seeking medical attention for respiratory illnesses, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV, surged both before and after the holiday season.

While seven other states, along with New York City, are also facing "very high" levels of illness activity, Tennessee stands alone at the top. Health officials have highlighted that the flu is not the sole sickness prevalent, with hospital admissions for COVID-19 dropping by 9.6% last week. However, coronavirus-related deaths have increased by 10.3% during the same period. Additionally, the CDC reported a rise in the number of individuals testing positive for RSV over the past few months.

To identify the severity of illness, the CDC compared current data from healthcare providers to the usual patterns observed during non-flu seasons. The data was based on the number of people reporting to healthcare facilities with flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, or sore throat, rather than confirmed cases of influenza.

However, it is important to note that the data may include instances of other respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19 or RSV, and could also be subject to underreporting if individuals choose to manage their symptoms at home. Exact numbers were not provided, but the CDC estimated that in the past two weeks alone, there have been at least 10 million illnesses, 110,000 hospitalizations, and 6,500 deaths attributed to the flu this season.

As the situation evolves, health authorities continue to monitor and assess the impact of various respiratory illnesses on public health. Efforts are being made to encourage individuals to seek medical attention when necessary and adhere to preventive measures to mitigate the spread of illness across the state and beyond.