Overview
- New York reported 71,123 lab-confirmed cases for the week ending Dec. 20, the highest single-week total since influenza became reportable in 2004.
- Influenza hospitalizations rose to 3,666 statewide, up 63% from 2,251 the prior week, as health officials closely monitor hospital bed capacity.
- Cumulative state cases since October reached 189,312, with New York City posting a decade-high 9,857 emergency visits for flu-like illness that week.
- The season is dominated by influenza A(H3N2), including subclade K, with a partial vaccine mismatch that still reduces risks of severe disease.
- New York’s flu vaccination rate sits near 25%, the state’s ‘prevalent’ declaration requires masks for unvaccinated health workers, and CDC estimates roughly 4.6 million U.S. illnesses with about 1,900 deaths so far.