Six Connecticut residents died from the flu by late October, an earlier start to the season than last year
State data showed flu cases running far above last year’s pace, matching a national rise in flu hospitalizations
Flu vaccination rates were slightly ahead of last year, while COVID-19 vaccinations lagged
Six Connecticut residents died from the flu as of Oct. 28, according to the state Department of Public Health, an earlier start to respiratory virus season than in 2025, when the state’s first flu death came in late October.
Compared to 2025, when the first death from flu tracked in the state wasn’t seen until the end of October, this year is busy, according to Connecticut’s Department of Public Health. All six residents were 55 and older, and the earliest death occurred the week of Sept. 26, according to DPH. Nine residents also died of COVID-19 since September, eight of them in October.
Data from the state’s respiratory viral disease report, which is active from October 1 to May 30, shows that flu cases reported through mid-October were more than 600% above rates seen last year at that time.
That tracks with reports that flu activity is trending above past years. According to ABC News, national flu hospitalization in the 2026-27 season is the highest it’s been since the 2009-10 season, when the H1N1 “swine flu” strain caused a pandemic.
National hospitalization rates are highest among adults ages 65+, 50-64 and children ages 0-4. Walgreens told ABC News flu activity is a month ahead of its typical patterns, with West Coast states and Florida among those seeing the highest activity.
COVID-19 cases in Connecticut trended below 2025 levels, though COVID-19 hospitalization rates were around or slightly above last year’s, according to DPH.
As of the week of October 17, flu vaccination rates are trending slightly above last year, with about 17% of the population having received shots as of October 24. Covid shots continue to trend down.
Fewer than 6% of Connecticut residents had up-to-date protection against COVID-19. The virus has historically circulated more widely closer to the holiday season, according to DPH.
By Joe O’Leary
