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Data from the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that influenza numbers dropped so drastically during the pandemic that, in some weeks it was almost nonexistent.
A WHO flowchart for Influenza Weeks 15 through 40 (April 11, 2020, to October 3, 2020) shows the drastic drop in confirmed influenza cases worldwide began in Week 16, with numbers nearly bottoming out beginning by Week 21.
“Globally, influenza activity remained at lower levels than expected for this time of the year, though increased detections were reported in some countries,” according to a WHO influenza summary. “the southern hemisphere, the influenza season remained low or below baseline. Despite continued or even increased testing for influenza in some countries in the southern hemisphere, very few influenza detections were reported.”
So where did the flu go? The CDC attributed the apparent “disappearance” of flu numbers during the COVID pandemic to “widespread adoption of community mitigation measures to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.” Specifically in the U.S., samples submitted that turned out to be positive for influenza cases during this time period dropped by 98% compared to other seasons.
SOURCES:
WHO Influenza Update N 378
WHO/GISRS Number of Specimens Positive for Influenza by Subtype
WHO Influenza Update 378 October 12, 2020
CDC MMWR September 18, 2020