Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News / Getty Images
In New York State, flu cases have surged by nearly 80% during the week of November 8, compared to the previous week. According to the New York State Department of Health, Saratoga County reported 26 cases, Albany County had 13, and Schenectady County had 10. The flu season is off to a strong start across the state.
The Department of Health has expanded its weekly flu report to include COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), providing a comprehensive view of respiratory illnesses statewide. For the week ending November 1, there were 1,332 lab-confirmed flu cases, 2,141 COVID-19 cases, and 734 RSV cases in New York. The Department encourages vaccination as the best protection against these diseases, as noted by State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, who emphasized the importance of vaccines in preventing serious illness or death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccinations for everyone six months and older. The 2025-2026 flu vaccines are trivalent, protecting against three main influenza viruses. The CDC also notes that flu vaccines are widely available and often covered by insurance. In addition, the nasal spray vaccine, FluMist, is now available for self-administration for certain age groups.
Experts urge the public to practice good hygiene and get vaccinated to protect against the flu. For those at higher risk of severe illness, wearing masks in crowded places is also advised. The Department of Health continues to update its Flu Tracker dashboard, providing a visual snapshot of flu trends across New York.
Photo Credit: Getty Images