Overview
- The state reported 71,123 lab-confirmed cases in the week ending Dec. 20, the highest single-week total since influenza became reportable in 2004.
- Influenza hospitalizations rose 63% week over week to 3,666 statewide, and New York City logged 9,857 flu-like emergency visits, the highest in at least a decade.
- Officials say an H3N2 subclade K variant is driving transmission, with early data pointing to a partial vaccine mismatch but continued protection against severe disease.
- Roughly a quarter of New Yorkers have been vaccinated so far, and the state’s “prevalent” designation requires unvaccinated health care personnel to wear masks around patients.
- Nationally, the CDC estimates about 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations and roughly 1,900 deaths this season, and urges vaccination plus antivirals within 48 hours for high-risk patients.