Centers for Disease Control and Prevention influenza experts are concerned that the United States could be at risk for a severe flu season this year, Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned Wednesday.

Walensky, White House Press Secretary said that Americans may be less immune to influenza now than they were last year. This was after the number of seasonal flu cases in the United States reached an all time low and large areas of the nation were evacuated.

She said that there was very little flu in 2020, “largely due to masking, physical distancing, and other preventive measures for the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Walensky encouraged Americans to get flu shots for Covid and for the flu. Walensky stated that vaccinations not only are important in ending the pandemic, they also help prevent other infectious diseases. She said that a rise in flu-related illnesses could increase the burden placed on our health system. This would put additional strain on those already struggling with high numbers of hospitalizations caused by Covid.

She stated that she continues to be able to visit many hospitals and ICUs across the nation at maximum capacity. The flu epidemic in America can cause influenza-related deaths of between 12,000-52,000 people each year and lead to 140,000-710,000 hospitalizations.

This is an ongoing story. Keep checking back for more updates.