New York declares flu prevalent early as cases jump; unvaccinated health workers must mask

Flu season has arrived early in New York. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald declared influenza prevalent statewide on Monday, Oct. 26, after lab-confirmed cases climbed for several weeks, the state Department of Health announced.

"It is unusual to see this level of influenza activity this early in the season," the department wrote in its health advisory to hospitals and nursing homes.

The numbers

According to the department's weekly surveillance report for the week ending Oct. 17:

• 3,526 lab-confirmed flu cases, up 19% from 2,973 the week before; 6,499 season to date.
• 233 people hospitalized with flu that week, up 17%; 432 season to date.
• 59 of the state's 62 counties reported steady or rising case counts.
• Influenza A made up 90% of positive cases, and 97% of the A samples that were subtyped were H1.
• Hospitals reported 6 respiratory outbreaks and nursing homes 36 that week; 84 outbreaks have been reported season to date.
• No flu-related pediatric deaths have been reported this season.

For comparison, the state had about 1,700 confirmed cases and 100 hospitalizations at the same point last season, WWNY reported, citing state data. Last season peaked in December, with weekly reports reaching 75,788 cases, PIX11 reported.

What the declaration changes

Under the state's flu mask rule (10 NYCRR 2.59), hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies and other facilities regulated under Articles 28, 36 and 40 of the Public Health Law must make sure staff who have not been vaccinated against flu this season wear a surgical or procedure mask in areas where patients or residents are usually present. The rule stays in effect until the commissioner declares flu no longer prevalent, according to the department. It does not apply to the general public.

Vaccines and what to do

The department says vaccination rates reported to the state are lower than in past years, and that fewer than half of adults got a flu shot last season. Its guidance:

• Flu: anyone 2 and older can get a shot at a participating pharmacy without a prescription; children from 6 months can get one at a doctor's office. Full protection takes about two weeks.
• COVID-19: the state's 2026-27 guidance recommends the vaccine for children 6 months to 18 years, all adults, and people at higher risk.
• RSV: pharmacists can vaccinate adults 75 and older, people 60 to 75 with underlying conditions, and pregnant people under a statewide standing order.
• People with symptoms, and those at higher risk, should consider wearing a well-fitting mask around others.

The department also launched a new seasonal respiratory virus dashboard that tracks flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases and hospitalizations by area. New York City's own data is published by the city Health Department.