{"blocks":[{"id":"fzx80enc-es5zvbkb","type":"embed","data":{"service":"cdn.jwplayer.com","source":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/b3ohbDLZ-SPdDOYds.html","embed":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/b3ohbDLZ-SPdDOYds.html","caption":"","height":"auto","width":"100%"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"New York is getting slammed by the flu."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The state logged 71,123 positive flu cases in the week ending on Dec. 20 — the highest single-week total since tracking began in 2004, according to the New York State Department of Health."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The figure marks a 38% jump from the previous week and signals an early, fast-moving flu season."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"So far this season, 189,312 flu cases have been reported statewide."}},{"type":"image","data":{"file":{"url":"https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/multiple-ambulances-parked-outside-emergency-117911539.jpg?w=1024"},"caption":"\n New York State recorded more than 71,000 flu cases in a single week, the highest total since tracking began in 2004. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Health officials say the surge started weeks earlier than usual and is expected to keep climbing as flu season typically peaks in January."}},{"id":"cf48exqt-dhw9c1ne","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://nypost.com/2025/12/29/health/is-there-a-best-blood-type-the-ups-and-downs-of-a-b-ab-and-o/","meta":{"title":"Is there a best blood type? Ups and downs of A, B, AB and O blood types","description":"","image":{"url":"https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/newspress-collage-qi0clk9an-1767022253897.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1767013313&w=171&h=114&crop=1"}},"variant":"compact"}},{"id":"7xdczgmo-isv360u4","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://nypost.com/2025/08/29/health/common-daily-vitamin-shown-to-slow-aging-process-over-four-year-period/","meta":{"title":"Common daily vitamin shown to slow aging process over 4-year period, new Harvard study confirms","description":"","image":{"url":"https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/newspress-collage-q88i281yi-1756486702269.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1756472433&w=171&h=114&crop=1"}},"variant":"compact"}},{"id":"85syro8g-23qyv2nj","type":"linkTool","data":{"link":"https://nypost.com/2026/07/03/health/im-in-the-hospital-with-the-explosive-diarrhea-parasite/","meta":{"title":"I’m in the hospital with the ‘explosive diarrhea’ parasite — I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemies","description":"","image":{"url":"https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/newspress-collage-k213wfoec-1783023399994.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1783009069&w=171&h=114&crop=1"}},"variant":"compact"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Emergency rooms are already feeling the strain. New York City hospitals reported 9,857 emergency room visits for flu-like illness in the week ending Dec. 20, the highest level seen in at least a decade."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Lab-confirmed cases show how widespread the virus has become, with the city recording 32,239 flu cases that week. More than half of those who fell sick, were children."}},{"type":"image","data":{"file":{"url":"https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/top-view-female-patient-suffering-117789209_0ecf1d.jpg?w=1024"},"caption":"\n Health officials say the current flu season started weeks earlier than usual and is spreading rapidly across the state. nimito – stock.adobe.com"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the numbers are the highest ever recorded for a single week, though increased testing may be capturing more cases than in past years."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The dominant strain circulating this season is H3N2, which has mutations that may help it evade immune defenses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Early data suggests the flu shot may be less effective at preventing infection but still lowers the risk of hospitalization."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"

"}},{"type":"image","data":{"file":{"url":"https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/caucasian-european-woman-lying-bed-117884375.jpg?w=1024"},"caption":"\n The dominant flu strain circulating this season is H3N2, which health officials say may partially evade immune defenses. Yuliia – stock.adobe.com"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"State officials say there is no sign the strain is more severe than usual. Most hospitalized patients have underlying health conditions."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":""}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Inpatient flu hospitalizations rose sharply last week to 3,666 statewide, up from 2,251 the week before."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Public health experts warn the worst may still be ahead and urge New Yorkers to get vaccinated and stay home when sick."}}]}

Samantha Olander

New York flu cases hit all-time high as infections surge statewide