It’s flu season. Influenza, norovirus, and COVID-19 cases are all rising in Brooklyn and throughout the city, according to reports from the city and state Health Departments.
Flu cases, in particular, have spiked significantly, which is common during this time of year, but now we may be facing a triple whammy as besides the flu, the norovirus– also known as the “stomach flu” and which is highly contagious–is rapidly increasing. The NYS Health Department database indicates that as of January 4, Brooklyn alone reported over 4,000 cases of influenza, the majority of which were type A.
The data in possession show a clear trend; in fact, the city recorded a 42% increase in positive influenza tests during the last week of December compared to the previous week. Also, 10% of all hospital ER visits were connected to flu-like illnesses, and outbreaks were identified in nine long-term care facilities.
The city’s Health Department revealed that between October and December 2024, over 2,300 cases of norovirus have been diagnosed among NYC residents, more than double the approximately 1,000 cases reported during the same period in 2023.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) identifies norovirus as the primary cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illnesses in the United States.
Lastly, COVID-19 cases have been gradually rising across New York City over the past two months, with several Brooklyn neighborhoods ranking among the highest in the NYC Health Department’s tracking database.
As a matter of fact, the ZIP code 11224, encompassing Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Seagate, recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases reported to the NYC Department of Health during the week ending January 6.
The DoH reported an average of 315 COVID-19 cases per day over the week ending Jan. 6; specifically, 81 cases in Brooklyn, 57 in the Bronx, 44 in Manhattan, 97 in Queens and 37 on Staten Island.
Doctors and experts recommend staying home to rest, sanitizing hands and surfaces regularly, and wearing a mask to help prevent transmission to others.