Healthy father-of-four and special education teacher dies after contracting the FLU- as respiratory viruses surge across the US

As influenza and other respiratory viruses sweep the United States, the disease has claimed the lives of a healthy father of four and a special education teacher from Tennessee.

Cody Capps of Robertson County, Tennessee died unexpectedly from the flu, highlighting how the usually mild to moderate illness can have serious health consequences in some people, and sometimes even be fatal.

The 37-year-old died on December 28 from complications of the virus after falling ill while in Indiana visiting family for Christmas. Mr Capps tested positive for influenza A and was admitted to intensive care when his condition worsened.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to provide financial assistance to his wife and four sons. The Capps family surpassed their $75,000 goal and raised $78,400.

A family friend wrote on the fundraising page: “Cody was a devoted husband, father, long-time servant leader at Long Hollow Church, and was instrumental in the success of many students in Robertson County.

“There is no doubt that Cody will be missed by every life he touched. This site has been set up to help the family during this difficult time.'

Mr. Capps is part of the rising trend of cases, hospitalizations and deaths from respiratory viruses during this year's cold season.

Mr. Capps is part of the rising trend of cases, hospitalizations and deaths from respiratory viruses during this year's cold season

DECEMBER 23: The above map shows flu-like illness levels by state for the week ending December 23, shortly before festive gatherings. This shows that more than seven states had very high levels of disease

The above shows that flu hospital admissions have increased by 48 percent this season to more than 14,000 admissions in the week to December 23.

In a Facebook post, Danny Weeks, the superintendent of Robertson County Schools, where Mr. Capps worked as a behavior coordinator for 13 years, released a statement announcing his death.

The statement read: “It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of Cody Capps, behavior coordinator. Over the course of his 13 years of dedicated service, Cody's unwavering commitment to promoting positive change and his genuine compassion for the lives of countless individuals throughout the district is immeasurable.”

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows respiratory virus cases and hospitalizations are increasing, with flu admissions increasing 48 percent in the week ending December 23 compared to the previous seven-day period.

Admissions are up nearly 90 percent from the same time in 2019, before the pandemic.

And the CDC estimates there have been 4,500 flu-related deaths so far this season, compared to 2,100 at this point in 2019.

This is evident from the latest data on the flu In the week to December 23, 14,732 people were admitted to hospital with the virus, compared to 9,930 in the previous seven days.

The positivity rate for flu tests – the percentage that detects the virus – rose from 10.5 per cent in the week ending December 16 to 13.1 per cent in the week to December 23.

In the US, about a dozen states are now reporting “very high” levels of respiratory activity and seven states – Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina and Mr Capps' home state of Tennessee – are reporting the highest levels as measured by the CDC.

Just two weeks ago, only two states — Louisiana and South Carolina — reported the highest levels of flu-like illness.

Covid hospitalizations also rose 17 percent in a week, while cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which the CDC director said had “peaked” last month, also rose again.

The overwhelming cold winter season is leaving hospitals feeling the pressure, with doctors saying this is the 'worst' winter virus season they have ever seen.

And the numbers are expected to continue to rise as they begin to reflect the impact of holiday gatherings.

This increasing 'triple threat' of Covid, flu and RSV has driven the return of face masks in hospitals across the country.

In all, more than 30 hospital systems in 16 states recently rolled back restrictions.