Washington sees unusually early rise in flu cases as COVID infections increase
Emergency departments across Washington reported flu activity levels typical of December, prompting health officials to urge early vaccination amid a concurrent uptick in COVID-19 cases.
Emergency rooms in Washington state are experiencing flu activity comparable to mid-winter levels, with hospitals in the Puget Sound area reporting a sharp increase in pediatric and adult cases since late September. King County recorded more than 400 flu-related emergency visits in the first week of October, far exceeding the usual weekly total of fewer than 50 patients.
Dr. Mary Fairchok, a pediatrician at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, said the early surge is unusual for the Pacific Northwest, which typically sees a later flu season than the East Coast and the South. "It’s definitely here," she said, noting a rise among teenagers and children.
At Seattle Children’s Hospital, about 6% of emergency patients tested positive for influenza in early October, up from 0% at the same time last year, according to Dr. Erin Chung, a pediatric infectious disease specialist. Tests for influenza A, the dominant strain, were positive in roughly 20% of cases, a significant increase from less than 2% in August.
Providence Swedish reported a 330% jump in positive flu tests compared with the previous year, with the most pronounced rise among adults aged 50 and older, said Dr. Andrew Young, the system’s medical director of emergency medicine.
Health officials are urging residents to receive flu vaccinations promptly, as immunity takes up to two weeks to develop. "Don’t get a false sense of security that because your child is healthy they will not get terribly ill from the flu," Fairchok warned.
The region is also monitoring a rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly in long-term care facilities. King County identified 12 ongoing outbreaks at such facilities, including one at Valley View in Renton that has affected at least 22 residents.
Doctors caution that while current flu patients do not appear more severe than in previous years, a shift toward older populations could increase the season’s impact. "The concerning thing would be if the trend continues, that an older population is affected more," Young said.
Public health officials continue to recommend standard preventive measures: vaccination, staying home when ill, frequent handwashing, wearing high-quality masks in crowded indoor settings, and improving indoor air circulation.