New York Flu Season Statistics
New York State declared influenza no longer prevalent on May 16, 2026, leading to the lifting of the mask mandate for unvaccinated healthcare workers, following a record-breaking flu season in late 2025. As of June 6, 2026, New York City's emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses showed a slight decrease, with flu cases remaining stable at 0.25% of ED visits. The season saw four pediatric flu deaths confirmed by the NYC Health Department, with over half of all flu cases in New York City occurring in children under 18. The season was complicated by a second wave driven by Influenza B, which accounted for 89% of positive flu cases in New York City by April 4, 2026.
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June 2026 — 2 developments
NYC Flu Cases Stable at 0.25% of ED Visits for Week Ending May 23
For the week ending May 23, 2026, New York City's emergency department visits for respiratory illnesses showed a slight decrease, with flu cases remaining stable at 0.25% of ED visits. This data follows a period of record-breaking flu hospitalizations in late 2025.
New York Reports Slight Increase in Flu Cases for Week Ending Feb 7, 2026
For the week ending February 7, 2026, New York saw a slight increase in lab-reported flu cases, with over 1,700 reported, though emergency room visits and hospitalizations related to the flu continued to decrease. The dominant strain was Influenza A H3N2.
May 2026 — 3 developments
Mount Carmel Hospital's Future Uncertain Amid Mater Dei Expansion Plans
The future of Mount Carmel Hospital is uncertain amid ongoing plans for the expansion of Mater Dei Hospital's emergency department and new mental health wards. This situation is linked to a controversial €120 million project.
New York State Declares Flu No Longer Prevalent, Lifts Mask Mandate for Healthcare Workers
New York State has declared influenza no longer prevalent as of May 16, 2026, leading to the lifting of the mask mandate for unvaccinated healthcare workers. This announcement follows a period of record-breaking flu hospitalizations and cases in late 2025, attributed to a new variant of influenza A(H3N2).
NYC Health Dept. Confirms Four Pediatric Flu Deaths This Season
The NYC Health Department has confirmed four pediatric flu deaths this season, with over half of all flu cases in New York City occurring in children under 18. Nationally, flu activity has been high, with 48 jurisdictions reporting high or very high levels of influenza-like illness.
April 2026 — 2 developments
New York City reports 16 pediatric flu deaths for season as of April 4, 2026
As of April 4, 2026, sixteen pediatric flu deaths have been reported for the season in New York City. For the week ending April 4, 2026, influenza B accounted for 89% of positive flu cases in New York City, with influenza A following.
New York City sees decrease in flu cases for week ending April 4, 2026
For the week ending April 4, 2026, flu cases in New York City decreased, with 1.06% of emergency department visits diagnosed with flu, down from 1.15% the prior week. This follows a season where over 146,000 flu cases were reported in the city by February 12, 2026.
March 2026 — 2 developments
New York State reports 11,848 new flu cases and 13 pediatric deaths for week ending March 28, 2026
For the week ending March 28, 2026, New York State reported 11,848 new flu cases across all 62 counties and 13 influenza-associated pediatric deaths this season. This follows a record-breaking week ending December 20, 2025, with 71,123 cases reported, an increase of 38% from the prior week, and Influenza B remains the predominant virus at 88% of positive cases.
Influenza B cases increase in New York State, accounting for 85% of positive flu cases
As of the week ending March 14, 2026, Influenza B accounted for 85% of positive flu cases in New York State, with 9,426 laboratory-confirmed cases reported that week, an increase from 8,051 the previous week. Hospitalizations also rose to 287 for the week ending March 14, up from 276 the week prior.
February 2026 — 1 developments
New York State faces second flu wave driven by Influenza B, concerning doctors
New York State is experiencing a record-breaking flu season, which has now been complicated by a second wave driven by Influenza B. Doctors are expressing concern about the impact of this new strain, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
January 2026 — 4 developments
NYC Health Department reports 143,000 flu cases this season, over half in children
The NYC Health Department reported nearly 143,000 positive flu cases in New York City this season, with over half affecting children under 18. Weekly laboratory-reported cases for the week ending January 24 continued to decline, with over 2,200 cases.
Capital District Hospitals Reinstate Mask Mandates Amid Flu Surge
Flu cases in New York City surpassed 128,000 for the season by January 3, while statewide cases decreased by 32% after a record peak. Hospitals in the Capital District have reinstated mask requirements for visitors due to the ongoing surge.
New York State reports record 4,546 flu hospitalizations due to mutated 'super flu' strain
New York State reported a record high of over 4,546 flu hospitalizations in the week ending December 27, 2025, driven by a mutated Influenza A H3N2 strain nicknamed the 'super flu.' This strain, which has seven new mutations and was not included in the 2025-2026 flu vaccine, is responsible for approximately 90 percent of flu cases nationwide. By mid-January 2026, New York City had surpassed 136,000 positive flu cases, with over half affecting children under 18.
New York State Department of Health reports record 4,546 flu hospitalizations in one week
The New York State Department of Health reported a new record of 4,546 flu hospitalizations in a single week, nearly 1,000 more than the previous week.
December 2025 — 3 developments
New Flu Variant Raises Concerns About Vaccine Effectiveness in US
Concerns were raised about a new, fast-spreading variant (subclade K, a mutation of the H3N2 strain) driving the increase in flu activity across the US, with potential implications for the effectiveness of the current flu vaccine.
New York State Flu Hospitalizations Jump 63% to 3,666 Amid Record Cases
Flu hospitalizations in New York State climbed by 63% to 3,666 from the previous week, coinciding with the record-high weekly case count.
New York State Department of Health mandates masks for unvaccinated healthcare personnel due to prevalent influenza
Earlier in December, the New York State Department of Health declared influenza prevalent statewide, requiring unvaccinated healthcare personnel to wear masks in patient care settings.
October 2025 — 1 developments
New York Reports Over 15,000 Flu Cases in First Month of 2025 Season
In the first month of the 2025 flu season, New York reported over 15,000 cases, a significant increase from the previous season. The flu outbreak is estimated to contribute to $7 billion annually in lost productivity nationwide.
May 2025 — 1 developments
New York State Health Department announces 25 pediatric flu deaths in 2024-2025 season
The New York State Health Department announced that the 2024-2025 flu season saw the highest recorded death toll among children, with 25 pediatric influenza-related deaths in New York.
December 2023 — 1 developments
2023-2024 Influenza Season Peaks Nationally, Including New York/New Jersey/Puerto Rico
The 2023-2024 influenza season peaked nationally around this week, with New York/New Jersey/Puerto Rico (HHS Region 2) experiencing a similar timing of peak activity.
October 2022 — 1 developments
New York City Reports Record Flu Hospitalizations for 2022-2023 Season
New York City reported 'high' flu activity for the 2022-2023 season, with hospitalizations breaking a decade-long record for that time of year, signaling an early and severe start to the season.