Flu Season Here With a Vengeance
- Don Mosier | Rimini Road
A new strain of influenza, H3N2 subclade K, is causing widespread infection of children and adults in San Diego County. Based on current trends, hospitalizations and possibly deaths from flu are expected to surpass those from COVID-19 this year.
The San Diego County Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report tracks COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases on an annual basis beginning each July 1st. The results of tracking COVID-19 and flu are shown in Fig. 1.1 and 1.2.
Infections with the COVID virus peaked at the end of August last year and have declined to low levels by the end of 2025. Of the almost 11,000 infections, 69 resulted in the death of the infected individual.
Infections with the influenza virus have increased since the beginning of December and are now tracking at more than 1,000 per week. At that rate, influenza will infect more people than the COVID virus by early February. Fortunately, the new flu strain has only caused 6 deaths as of Jan. 1, 2026, but this number is expected to increase in the next few months.
Individuals over 65 are at higher risk of hospitalization or death from infection with either flu or COVID. The high-dose flu vaccine for older adults is partially protective against the serious consequences of infection with the new flu strain and is highly recommended by local infectious disease experts. Wearing face masks at social gatherings or during travel is also recommended.
