Flu-related hospitalizations have surged to their third-highest weekly rate for this point in the season in 15 years, according to CDC data.
For the week ending Dec. 6, the cumulative flu hospitalization rate was 6.9 per 100,000 population — nearly double the rate seen during the same period last season. This marks the third-highest rate recorded since 2010, behind the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, historical CDC data shows.
So far this season, the CDC estimates there have been 30,000 to 61,000 flu-related hospitalizations nationwide. The agency forecasts that this virus season will result in a similar level of hospitalizations as last season.
Last year’s flu season was among the most severe since 2010, with a hospitalization rate of 127.1 per 100,000 people.
Here’s how current hospitalization figures compare to those from past flu seasons, based on data from the CDC.
Note: Total estimated hospitalizations were not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
| Season | Cumulative hospitalization rate for week ending Dec. 6 | Total estimated hospitalizations for the season |
| 2025-2026* | 6.9 | 30,000 to 61,000 (through Dec. 6) |
| 2024-2025* | 3.7 | 610,000 to 1.3 million |
| 2023-2024* | 9.5 | 470,000 |
| 2022-2023* | 36.1 | 360,000 |
| 2021-2022 | 1.1 | 120,000 |
| 2020-2021 | 0.3 | N/A |
| 2019-2020 | 4.3 | 380,000 |
| 2018-2019 | 2.5 | 380,000 |
| 2017-2018 | 5.1 | 700,000 |
| 2016-2017 | 2.3 | 500,000 |
| 2015-2016 | 0.8 | 280,000 |
| 2014-2015 | 5 | 590,000 |
| 2013-2014 | 2.7 | 350,000 |
| 2012-2013 | 3.4 | 570,000 |
| 2011-2012 | 0.2 | 140,000 |
| 2010-2011 | 1.2 | 290,000 |
*Estimates for these flu seasons are preliminary.
