Rates of infection by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may have peaked in late October, according to a new report by Quest Diagnostics.
In its most recent Quest Diagnostics Health Trends Report "Testing for H1N1 in America," Quest Diagnostics analyzed results of more than 142,000 de-identified patient specimens tested for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in the U.S. between May 11, 2009 and November 10, 2009.
The number of specimens that tested positive for 2009 H1N1 influenza dropped in all age groups since late October, with the exception of those 65 years of age and older. In this age group, rates of positivity have tripled since late August, and are now at about 14 percent.
Rates of positive test results for the pandemic have declined in recent weeks in most regions, with the exception of the Northeast.