# Rising influenza activity in the United States

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rising-influenza-activity-in-the-united-states
> Updated: 2026-11-08T14:14:26.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 4.

Influenza activity has shown an upward trend across the United States during late 2026. In Colorado, state health officials reported a steep increase in indicators such as percent positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations, with weekly flu hospitalizations rising from one in late August to 46 in mid-October.

On a national level, the CDC reported that influenza activity is increasing earlier than usual. While overall seasonal activity remains low, surveillance indicators including outpatient visits for influenza-like illness and laboratory-confirmed hospitalizations have been trending upward since late August. Louisiana was identified as one of the first states to report moderate flu activity.

By the week ending October 24, the CDC noted that the estimated hospitalization rate for mid-October reached its highest level since 2010. Hospitals reported 6,100 laboratory-confirmed flu admissions, representing a 27% increase from the previous week. Clinical laboratories reported a positivity rate of 7.6%, up from 5.7% the prior week. While the West Coast initially saw the highest activity, the virus has since spread more widely, with rising admission rates noted in New England, the Southeast, and the Pacific Northwest.

In early November, New York reported a significant surge, with cases increasing 77% in a single week to reach 7,696. Flu-related hospitalizations in the state rose by 105%, totaling 1,426 for the season. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald noted that activity in Monroe County began roughly a month earlier than in previous years, with over 4,000 cases involving individuals under the age of 17.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-08: New York reports sharp rise in flu cases and hospitalizations

New York is experiencing an early and sharp rise in flu cases and hospitalizations, prompting health officials to urge vaccination due to low immunization rates among residents.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-reports-sharp-rise-in-flu-cases-and-hospitalizations

### 2026-10-31: United States flu activity rises earlier than typical seasonal patterns

The CDC reports an early rise in U.S. flu activity, with hospital admissions increasing 27% in a single week and positivity rates climbing across multiple regions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-flu-activity-rises-earlier-than-typical-seasonal-patterns

### 2026-10-27: CDC reports early rise in influenza activity across the U.S

The CDC reports an early rise in U.S. influenza activity, with increasing hospitalizations and outpatient visits noted since late August.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cdc-reports-early-rise-in-influenza-activity-across-the-us

### 2026-10-13: Colorado reports rising influenza hospitalizations and COVID-19 activity

Colorado is seeing a steady weekly increase in influenza hospitalizations and emergency room visits, alongside rising COVID-19 levels in wastewater surveillance.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colorado-reports-rising-influenza-hospitalizations-and-covid-19-activity

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Cite as: Rising influenza activity in the United States. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rising-influenza-activity-in-the-united-states