Hospitals across the United States are facing a formidable challenge as this year’s flu season surges to levels not seen in recent memory. With a new variant of the influenza virus circulating and vaccination rates lagging behind previous years, health officials from New York to Alaska are urging Americans to take preventive measures and get vaccinated to stem the tide of illness and hospitalizations.
According to the New York State Department of Health, the week ending December 27, 2025, saw a staggering 4,546 people hospitalized with influenza in New York alone—a 24% jump from the previous week’s tally of 3,666. This record-breaking spike came on the heels of another grim milestone: 72,133 flu infections reported in the state during the week ending December 20. The state’s health commissioner, Dr. James McDonald, characterized the season as “more severe” than previous years, noting, “Almost 1,000 more people were admitted to a hospital during this most recent seven-day period compared to the prior week.”
New York’s situation is not unique. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that, nationwide, there have been at least 7.5 million cases of flu, resulting in 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths so far this season. New York is one of 20 states recording “very high” levels of respiratory illness activity as of early January 2026, according to the latest CDC data.
In Michigan, hospitals are feeling the pinch as emergency departments fill up with flu patients. Corewell Health, the state’s largest health system, reported that the number of flu patients doubled or nearly doubled within a single week in late December. At the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, spokesperson John Foren described a hospital at capacity, with “numerous patients in the emergency department waiting for an inpatient bed.” He added, “Most of the region is in the same boat. We continue to encourage people to take precautions and to consider our urgent care clinics or their primary care physician for treatment of common flu and virus symptoms in lieu of coming to the emergency department.”
Henry Ford Health’s labs recorded an eye-popping 33% positivity rate for flu tests during the week of December 21-27, the highest in at least three seasons. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 643 hospitalizations for confirmed influenza as of December 13, with about half of those patients aged 65 or older and one-sixth children under five. “We have seen a sharp increase in flu activity over the past couple of weeks,” Dr. John Brooks, medical director of infection prevention for McLaren Health Care, told the Detroit Free Press.
Alaska, too, is experiencing an early and intense flu season. The state Health Department reported about 1,100 cases so far, with at least three Alaskans dying from flu complications. Physicians in Anchorage have expressed alarm at the severity and volume of cases. “Most of us are saying that we've never in our careers seen so much, both volume of flu coming into the hospital rapidly, as well as how ill people are,” said Dr. Benjamin Westley, an infectious disease physician.
What’s driving this surge? Public health experts point to a new flu strain called subclade K, a variant of the H3N2 influenza A virus. The CDC found that of 1,600 flu samples tested, roughly 92% were H3N2, and nearly 90% of those belonged to subclade K. This variant has been circulating globally since the summer, fueling spikes in countries like Canada, Japan, and the UK before taking hold in the United States.
Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe and often come on suddenly. The CDC lists fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue as common symptoms. Some people, especially children, may also experience vomiting and diarrhea. Those at highest risk for severe illness include people aged 65 and older, children under two, pregnant women, individuals with underlying medical conditions, those with obesity, and certain racial and ethnic groups, including Black, Latino, and Alaska Native populations.
Hospitals aren’t just grappling with influenza. Michigan’s Henry Ford Health reported that COVID-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) positivity rates are also on the rise, though flu remains the dominant concern. On February 15 of previous years, emergency department visits related to influenza, COVID-19, and RSV peaked at nearly 12% of all visits statewide, underscoring the strain multiple respiratory viruses can place on healthcare systems.
Despite the onslaught, vaccination rates remain stubbornly low. In Michigan, only about 24% of residents had received a flu vaccine by December 20, 2025, according to the state’s immunization summary. Nationally, approximately 12 million fewer flu vaccine doses have been distributed compared to the same time last year, and more than 60 million fewer compared to the 2020-21 season. In Huron County, Michigan, where nearly 29% of residents are over 65—a group particularly vulnerable to the flu—vaccination rates still lag behind that demographic’s share of the population.
Health officials are clear: vaccination remains the best defense. “Historically, even when there are new variants of influenza that are circulating, people who are vaccinated tend to still have some protection against flu cases,” said Joe McLaughlin, head of Alaska’s Section of Epidemiology. “But more importantly, they still seem to be quite well-protected against hospitalization and death compared to those who have not been vaccinated.” Dr. Teena Chopra, medical director of infection prevention at the Detroit Medical Center, echoed this, noting that even if the vaccine doesn’t completely prevent infection, it “can prevent severe illness and hospitalization if you do get sick.”
For those who do fall ill, antiviral medications like Tamiflu (oseltamivir) can reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, especially if started within 48 hours of onset. Dr. Westley advised, “If you have a risk factor for a bad outcome of flu, and you have an influenza-like illness, meaning you have symptoms consistent with flu, you do not need a test and shouldn't even really get a test. You should just get treated.”
Preventive measures extend beyond vaccines and antivirals. The CDC and state health departments recommend handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, improving indoor air quality, and—when appropriate—wearing masks. Those who are ill should stay home until they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication, to help curb the spread.
Health officials urge people not to rely on anecdotal information or social media when making medical decisions. Instead, they recommend consulting healthcare providers and credible medical sources. As Julia Harbuck-Valley of Scheurer Health in Michigan put it, “It’s a big picture community outlook and not just thinking about yourself.”
With flu activity expected to remain high in the coming weeks, experts stress there’s still time to get vaccinated and take precautions. As Dr. McDonald of New York reminded residents, “There is still time to get a flu shot and remember, flu can be treated with antiviral medication if started within 48 hours of symptom onset and your doctor deems appropriate.”
As the nation contends with one of its most challenging flu seasons in years, the message from health officials is clear: vigilance, vaccination, and early treatment are key to weathering the storm.
