Local flu surge reflects national trend

Chart shows numbers of flu cases for the last three seasons, with corresponding numbers of hospitalizations in red. The numbers of both this season have risen more rapidly and to higher levels than the previous two years. SOURCE: NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 

By JEFF MORRIS 

The latest figures from Northern Westchester Hospital confirm what both the New York State Department of Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are saying: flu cases are surging.

According to Northern Westchester Hospital, in December 2024, they had 114 cases of the flu. In December 2025, there were 304 cases. The hospital reports that number also exceeds the January 2025 number, which was the maximum number of cases in the last flu season. 

Information obtained from Northwell Health, which includes both Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco and Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, indicates the number of flu cases at both is much higher than at the same time last year.

“While we are still finalizing the specific data for this period, I can tell you from our frontline perspective in the emergency department that we saw an exceptionally high volume of flu cases in the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday,” Dr. Evan Cohen, chairman of emergency medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital, told The Recorder. “This surge certainly aligned with the significant increases reported by the New York State Department of Health. We are continuing to monitor these trends closely to ensure we are meeting the needs of our patients and the community.”

Dr. Barry Geller, chairman of emergency medicine at Phelps Hospital, confirmed the number of flu cases and hospitalizations they are seeing are much higher this season.

 “We are seeing a lot of patients with flu in the emergency department,” said Dr. Shalom Sokolow, an emergency physician at Phelps. “Most have typical symptoms for flu: fever, body aches, cough and fatigue.” 

He said they are able to provide them with some assistance, reassure them that they should expect to feel better soon and safely discharge them home. “Unfortunately,” added Sokolow, “some patients, especially elderly patients with multiple medical problems, are sicker. They have significant respiratory distress, low oxygen and are often dehydrated. We need to provide them with breathing support and IV fluids and admit them to the hospital.” 

The New York State Department of Health announced Jan. 2 that the state was experiencing the highest number of flu hospitalizations ever recorded in a single week. The department’s most recent data showed a total of 4,546 hospitalizations, almost 1,000 more than the previous week.

“We are having a more severe flu season than prior years, almost 1,000 more people were admitted to a hospital during this most recent seven-day period compared to the prior week,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “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.”

In December, the department issued a declaration that influenza is prevalent in New York state. It requires that health care facilities and agencies ensure their personnel who have not received this year’s flu vaccine wear masks in areas where patients and residents may be present.

Symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, tiredness, vomiting or diarrhea even though it is more common in children.

The state Department of Health notes the number of flu cases reported has risen in recent years with more laboratories testing and reporting results, and with multi-pathogen panels becoming the primary way to test individuals presenting with respiratory symptoms. But it says this record number underscores that this season is impacting more people than in other recent years. Flu season typically peaks in January.

The CDC reported on Jan. 5 that “seasonal influenza activity is elevated and continues to increase across the country,” with its in-season severity assessment framework now classifying the season as “moderately severe” for the first time. It showed an 8.2% rise in visits to a health care provider for respiratory illness for the week, with 33,301 patients admitted to hospitals with influenza, and influenza A(H3N2) viruses the most frequently reported. CDC estimates that there have been at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths from flu so far this season. It said activity is expected to continue for “several weeks.”

State health officials noted it is not too late to get vaccinated against influenza, and the flu vaccine is widely available to those 6 months and older. 

Young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions and those ages 65 and older are most at risk of developing serious complications from flu. Officials called the seasonal flu vaccine “the best protection against serious illness and death from the flu. It can help reduce absences from work, school and extracurricular activities, and provides protection for the most vulnerable members of families and communities.”

In addition to getting the flu vaccine, simple preventive actions were cited by the Department of Health that can help stop the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses:

— Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

— Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

— Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

— Stay home when sick.

— Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

— Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

More information is available from the state’s flu website. Visit nyshc.health.ny.gov and click on “flu tracker.”

Jeff Morris has been a reporter for The Recorder since its inception, and previously wrote for The Record-Review, The Lewisboro Ledger, and business periodicals, and even edited jokes for Reader’s Digest.