New York Braces for Tough Flu Season as Cases Surge

By BoroPark24 Staff

Flu season is hitting New York hard and early this year, with state health officials warning that the coming weeks could be rough. New York’s Department of Health has now declared influenza “prevalent” statewide, signaling that activity is widespread and rising fast. 

In the last week of November, the state reported more than 14,500 lab-confirmed flu cases, an 80% jump from the week before. Hospital impact is climbing too: nearly 800 New Yorkers were hospitalized with the flu that same week, up 93% week-to-week. Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said officials are expecting a more severe flu season due to the strains currently circulating, and urged residents to get protected before holiday gatherings. 

Vaccination levels are moving in the wrong direction. About 3.4 million New Yorkers had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, slightly below last year’s pace, and statewide flu vaccination coverage is hovering around 20% heading into the holidays. 

Meanwhile, other respiratory viruses are in the mix. New York logged 1,948 confirmed COVID cases in the last week of November, a small dip from the prior week. RSV is trending upward, with around 2,200 cases statewide that week, up roughly 17%. The state has also recorded respiratory outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes so far this season, though officials say there have been no pediatric deaths from flu, COVID, or RSV yet this winter. 

photos: Shutterstock