CDC data show about 6,100 lab-confirmed flu hospital admissions for the week ending Oct. 24, up 27% from the prior week. The agency recorded the season's first pediatric flu death, and New York officials are urging residents to get vaccinated ahead of the holidays.
The CDC describes seasonal flu activity as low nationally but increasing in many parts of the country. The agency cautioned that an earlier increase in activity does not necessarily lead to a higher seasonal peak or greater overall severity. New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald says flu season has hit unusually early this year in the U.S.
Hospital admissions and a child death
CDC's Week 42 FluView report recorded the first flu-associated death of a child in the 2026-27 season. The death occurred during the week ending Oct. 10 and was associated with an influenza A(H1N1) virus. The CDC estimates the season has caused at least 1 million illnesses, 16,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths so far.
Hospitals reporting to CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network logged 6,100 lab-confirmed flu admissions in Week 42, a rate of 1.8 per 100,000 people, up from 4,811 the week before. For the week ending Oct. 24, approximately 6,100 such admissions were reported nationwide, a 27% increase from the previous week. The national hospitalization rate rose to 1.8 per 100,000 people, and flu test positivity increased to 7.6%.
CDC's FluSight forecast projects a likely national increase in flu hospital admissions for the week ending Nov. 14. The forecast range is 4,800 to 23,200 new hospital admissions.
Regional and virus data
HHS Region 9, made up of California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, had the highest Week 42 hospital admission rate at 2.5 per 100,000, versus 0.7 per 100,000 in Region 7. Region 10 was the only region above its baseline for flu-like illness.
Of influenza A viruses subtyped by public health labs in Week 42, 98.9% were H1N1 and 1.1% were H3N2. Among tested H1N1 viruses, 94.2% were well recognized by antibodies to this year's vaccine strain.
Prevention advice
The New York State Health Department is urging residents to get their flu shots ahead of the holiday season. Officials also recommend washing hands and staying home when sick.
