Early Flu Season 2026: CDC Reports Surge, 6 Deaths in Connecticut

Flu season has arrived early in the United States, and the latest national figures show it is already putting pressure on hospitals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a sharp week-on-week rise in flu admissions in its most recent FluView update, while Connecticut has confirmed its first six flu deaths of the season — all in adults aged 55 and older, and earlier than last year.

An early rise does not, by itself, prove this winter will be severe. But rising admissions, widening test positivity and deaths reported before many people have had a flu shot are why doctors are urging Americans not to wait.

What the CDC’s latest FluView report shows

Hospitals reported 6,100 laboratory-confirmed flu admissions in the week ending October 24, up 27 percent from 4,811 the week before, according to the CDC figures summarised by Becker’s Hospital Review. The overall admission rate rose to 1.8 per 100,000 people.

Older adults bore the heaviest burden, with an admission rate of 5.8 per 100,000 among people aged 65 and older, followed by children aged four and younger at 1.8 per 100,000. A CDC surveillance network estimated that, once reporting delays are taken into account, the week 42 rate was likely between 1.9 and 2.5 per 100,000 — the highest for that week since the 2010-11 season.

Testing data point the same way: 7.6 percent of clinical laboratory tests were positive, up from 5.7 percent the week before, and 98.9 percent of subtyped influenza A viruses were H1N1. Flu accounted for 1.2 percent of emergency department visits, up from 0.9 percent, while flu-like illness made up 2.4 percent of outpatient visits — still below the national baseline of 2.9 percent.

So far this season, the CDC estimates at least one million flu illnesses, 16,000 hospitalisations and 900 deaths across the country.

Connecticut’s six deaths came earlier than last season

Connecticut’s Department of Public Health announced on October 28 that six residents had died from influenza since late September. All were adults aged 55 or older, and they are the state’s first flu deaths of the 2026-27 respiratory virus season.

The deaths were spread across three reporting weeks: one for the week ending September 26, three for the week ending October 17, and two for the week ending October 24. The state’s first death this season came about a month earlier than last season, when the first flu death was reported for the week of October 25, 2025.

State officials did not release the counties where the deaths occurred, the flu type involved, or whether the people who died had been vaccinated. Since September, Connecticut has also recorded nine COVID-19-related deaths and no deaths from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani called the deaths “a sobering reminder that flu can be serious, especially for older adults, and that respiratory virus season is already here.”

A first paediatric death, and a warning about H1N1 diversity

Nationally, the CDC also received its first report of a paediatric flu death this season, in a child who died during the week ending October 10 from an H1N1 virus. The CDC noted that circulating H1N1 viruses have split into distinct groups and show more genetic diversity than previously seen. Of 103 H1N1 viruses tested, 94.2 percent were well recognised by vaccine reference serum — encouraging, but not a guarantee. Vaccination takes about two weeks to build protection, so a shot taken now is aimed at the holiday season, when people gather indoors.

Who is most at risk, and what to watch for

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly and can include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and fatigue. Not everyone with flu has a fever.

Those most vulnerable to serious complications are adults aged 65 and older, infants and young children, pregnant people, and people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems. In recent years, the CDC estimates, people aged 65 and older have accounted for 50 to 70 percent of seasonal flu hospitalisations and 70 to 85 percent of flu deaths. Seek care right away for trouble breathing, ongoing chest pain or pressure, persistent dizziness or confusion, or a fever or cough that improves and then returns or worsens.

Vaccines, antivirals and free shots

The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone aged six months and older, ideally in September or October — but officials stress that it is not too late, and vaccination should continue while flu viruses are circulating.

Connecticut says cost does not have to be a barrier: its Vaccines for Adults programme provides flu vaccine to uninsured and underinsured adults at participating sites, and a statewide list of flu clinics has been published. For people at higher risk, prescription antivirals work best when started soon after symptoms begin. Staying home when sick, washing hands often and covering coughs and sneezes also help limit spread.

The season is still young, and the CDC has cautioned against reading an early rise as a forecast of a severe winter. What the numbers do show is that flu is here, it is rising, and the window to get protected before the holidays is narrowing.

Frequently asked questions

How early is flu season starting this year?

Earlier than usual. Connecticut’s first flu death was reported for the week ending September 26, about a month earlier than last season’s first death, and the CDC says early-season activity is higher than typically observed at this time of year.

How much have flu hospital admissions risen?

Hospitals reported 6,100 laboratory-confirmed flu admissions in the week ending October 24, up 27 percent from 4,811 the week before, according to the CDC’s FluView report.

Who has died from flu in Connecticut this season?

Six residents, all adults aged 55 or older, have died since late September, the state Department of Public Health announced on October 28. The state has not released further details about those cases.

Is it too late to get a flu shot?

No. Health officials recommend a flu shot for everyone aged six months and older, and say it is still worthwhile in November. Protection takes about two weeks to build, so getting vaccinated now helps ahead of holiday gatherings.

Does an early flu season mean a severe season?

Not necessarily. The CDC has cautioned that an earlier increase does not necessarily lead to a higher seasonal peak or greater overall severity, and it has not predicted how severe this season will be.

Sources: CDC FluView data summarised by Becker’s Hospital Review; Connecticut Department of Public Health announcement reported by Medical Daily.

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