Flu cases in CT are spiking over last year; how to protect yourself

Norwich Bulletin – Tuesday, November 16, 2025
By Connor Linskey

Flu cases in Connecticut were up 297% year-over-year for the week ending December 13, 2025, underscoring the importance of residents getting their seasonal shots.

And after seeing flu and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases rise in New York, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is recommending Connecticut residents get their seasonal vaccines to protect themselves.

The DPH expects Connecticut will see cases rise similarly to New York in the coming weeks. In the New York State Department of Health’s most recent respiratory surveillance report for the week ending Dec. 6, laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu were up 29% from the previous week and RSV laboratory-confirmed cases were up 35% during that same timeframe.

“New York’s increased flu and RSV activity is an early warning for Connecticut,” DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD said in a press release. “As we approach the holidays, get your seasonal shots if you haven’t already. It’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness.”

COVID-19 is the most common respiratory disease this respiratory viral disease season, which runs from Oct. 1 through May 31. As of Dec. 12, the DPH reported that for the season, there were 4,181 cases of COVID-19, 3,522 cases of the flu and 466 cases of RSV.

While COVID-19 is the most common respiratory disease in Connecticut this season, the DPH reports that cases have leveled off after a spike earlier this fall. Flu and RSV cases are low but rising. The DPH expects this trend to continue through the next several weeks.

Who should get vaccinated

The DPH recommends that everyone ages six months and older should get a flu shot each year. The department also recommends everyone six months and older get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, the DPH says adults 60 and older as well as pregnant women can get an RSV vaccine. Babies younger than eight months old can get a protective medicine called Nirsevimab during RSV season.

Members of the public can get their vaccines from their doctor, a pharmacy or by visiting vaccinefinder.org.

Other measures to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses

The DPH makes additional recommendations to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. The department recommends people stay home when they are sick, wash their hands often, clean surfaces regularly and wear a mask if they have respiratory illness symptoms.

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