Coronavirus Watch: Common respiratory viruses are on the rise, CDC warns – USA TODAY

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Most common respiratory viruses circulated at historically low levels in 2020, likely due to COVID-19 mitigation measures such as wearing face masks and social distancing, the CDC said Friday.

But now, as those measures relax, some viruses have begun circulating at increased levels at an unusual time of the year, the CDC said.

"Reduced circulation of influenza viruses during the past year might affect the severity of the upcoming influenza season given the prolonged absence of ongoing natural exposure to influenza viruses," the CDC said.

Not sure how to tell the difference between COVID-19 symptoms and the common cold? Check out our guide here.

It's Friday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the USA TODAY Network. Here's more newsyou need to know:

Today's numbers:The U.S. has reported more than 34.3million COVID-19cases and 610,200deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, there have been more than 192.9million cases and more than 4.1 million deaths. About 56% of people in the U.S. have received at least one vaccine shot, and about 49%are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Tracking the pandemic:See the numbers in your area here. See where cases are rising here. See vaccinationrates here. And here,compare vaccinations rates worldwide and see which countries are using which vaccines.

Grace Hauck, USA TODAY breaking news reporter, @grace_hauck

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Coronavirus Watch: Common respiratory viruses are on the rise, CDC warns - USA TODAY