NYC Flu Season Barely Existent In COVID Silver Lining

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's flu season is unfolding with just a fraction of cases typically seen this time of year, according to state health data.

The five boroughs saw 476 confirmed influenza cases so far this flu season. At the same time last year, there were 13,350 cases, the state's flu tracker data shows.

That means the city only saw about 4 percent of influenza cases this season as it did at this point last year.

"Influenza activity in NYC is minimal," the city's latest influenza surveillance report states.

The slow flu season contrasts with the growing number of coronavirus cases across the city and state. Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday said the city's average new COVID-19 cases stood a 3,960 a day.

The coronavirus positivity rate in the city is 9.38 percent on a seven-day average, de Blasio said.

By contrast, New York City only saw 65 influenza cases during the past week, according to the state's flu tracker.

Here's a breakdown comparing the last and current flu season cases, from September to the last week of December both years:

2019-2020

• Bronx — 3,808
• Brooklyn — 4,295
• Manhattan — 1,449
• Queens — 3,420
• Staten Island — 378

2020-2021

• Bronx — 60
• Brooklyn — 144
• Manhattan — 62
• Queens — 129
• Staten Island — 81

City health officials recommend getting a flu vaccine every year, but especially so amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"People who are more likely to become seriously ill and have complications from COVID-19 should be vaccinated against seasonal flu," the city's guidance states. "Receiving the flu vaccine can lower your chances of getting seasonal flu and needing flu-related medical care during the pandemic."

Find more information on how and where to get a flu shot here.