Dec 28, 2025
3 min read
Officials reported 71,123 new cases and it will get worse, doctors said.
New York State has seen the highest number of flu cases on record in a week as hospitalizations surged after last winter's peak, Development Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald noted.
"It shows that the flu season in New York is tough and we're not even close to the peak," McDonald said, adding that the recent holiday gatherings could continue to spread."When we're together, we're spreading love and happiness, but we're also spreading germs."
Officials reported 71,123 new cases for the seven days ending December 20.The new weekly toll marked a 38 percent week-over-week increase in confirmed flu infections.
The number of flu-related hospitalizations has skyrocketed, with 2,251 of New York's 3,666 residents requiring hospitalization in the past week, suggesting an increase in serious cases.
"We can look at how hospitals around New York are doing every two hours, so we can see if the hospitals are full," McDonald said.
Health officials declared the flu "widespread" in New York state earlier this month and required health care facilities to require unvaccinated workers to wear masks around patients and residents.The designation reflects its wide distribution throughout the region.
Macdonald said it was too early to say when the season would peak, but warned "it's going to get worse before it gets better".
State health officials say it's not too late to get a flu shot.This year's vaccination rate is roughly in line with previous years.But this year's flu strain is more serious, McDonald said, so "if you haven't gotten your flu shot this year, this is the year to do it."
Those who are sick — especially children, the elderly, or people with underlying medical conditions — should talk to their doctor about antiviral medications that can reduce symptoms and complications.However, the medication should be started within 48 hours of getting over the flu to be most effective.
McDonald said people who feel sick "really shouldn't be going to work or visiting family."
He also advised those with weak immune systems or serious illnesses to wear N95 or KN95 masks in crowded places.
COVID-19 and RSV — another respiratory disease — also continue to circulate, but state data show that the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations has remained relatively stable in recent weeks and that RSV activity has seen a smaller increase than that of the flu.
