Commonground
Senior Moderator
RI Flu Cases Rising As New Variant Spreads
Tue, Dec 2, 2025
Rhode Island health officials said there has been a significant increase in hospitalizations since the start of November
Rhode Island health officials warned Tuesday that flu cases are rising across the state. The warning comes just as holiday travel and activities begin.
State data shows that as of the week ending Nov. 22, there were 19 hospital admissions associated with influenza, up 12 from the start of the month.
State health officials are also worried about a new flu variant called subclade K, which they believe is driving up cases across the nation and other countries, including the U.K. and Canada. There were 450 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases from Nov. 16 to Nov. 22, up from 251 the week prior.
State health officials said the flu vaccine remains the most effective way to avoid serious influenza illness, preventing an estimated 240,000 hospitalizations, most in adults aged 65 years and older, and likely preventing the season from being even more severe.
-snip-
The flu hit Rhode Island hard last season. There were 60 influenza related deaths last season, compared to none so far this season and 32 in 2023-2024.
Health officials continue to stress the basics to protect yourself against the flu:
For more information about statewide influenza trends, vaccine coverage and how to stay protected throughout the season, visit https://health.ri.gov/flu.
https://patch.com/rhode-island/across-ri/ri-flu-cases-rising-new-variant-spreads
Tue, Dec 2, 2025
Rhode Island health officials said there has been a significant increase in hospitalizations since the start of November
Rhode Island health officials warned Tuesday that flu cases are rising across the state. The warning comes just as holiday travel and activities begin.
State data shows that as of the week ending Nov. 22, there were 19 hospital admissions associated with influenza, up 12 from the start of the month.
State health officials are also worried about a new flu variant called subclade K, which they believe is driving up cases across the nation and other countries, including the U.K. and Canada. There were 450 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases from Nov. 16 to Nov. 22, up from 251 the week prior.
State health officials said the flu vaccine remains the most effective way to avoid serious influenza illness, preventing an estimated 240,000 hospitalizations, most in adults aged 65 years and older, and likely preventing the season from being even more severe.
-snip-
The flu hit Rhode Island hard last season. There were 60 influenza related deaths last season, compared to none so far this season and 32 in 2023-2024.
Health officials continue to stress the basics to protect yourself against the flu:
- Get a flu shot (anyone 6 months and older)
- Stay home when sick
- Properly covering coughs and sneezes
- Washing hands frequently and improving indoor ventilation
For more information about statewide influenza trends, vaccine coverage and how to stay protected throughout the season, visit https://health.ri.gov/flu.
https://patch.com/rhode-island/across-ri/ri-flu-cases-rising-new-variant-spreads