Overview
- The state reported 71,123 lab-confirmed infections for the week ending Dec. 20, the highest since flu became reportable in 2004, bringing the season total to about 189,312.
- Influenza hospitalizations rose 63% in one week to 3,666 statewide, and New York City logged 9,857 emergency visits for flu-like illness, the highest in at least a decade.
- Officials point to a dominant H3N2 lineage, including subclade K, raising concern about a partial vaccine mismatch, though vaccination still lowers the risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
- Flu shot coverage in New York is low at roughly 25%, and guidance stresses getting vaccinated, starting antivirals within 48 hours for high-risk patients, and staying home when ill.
- Nationally, the CDC estimates at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations, and about 1,900 deaths so far, with several states reporting high activity and some schools briefly closing.