Colorado Flu Hospitalizations Reach 46 in One Week, Rising Every Week Since a Single Hospitalization in Late August

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State epidemiologist Dr. Rachel Herlihy described a steep increase in flu test positivity, emergency room visits and hospitalizations. She said the numbers remain small but show that “influenza is here and is increasing.” The figures come from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s respiratory disease dashboard.

For families in Denver, Colorado Springs and across the state, the early rise is a practical signal rather than a prediction. Flu shots take about two weeks to reach full protection, so getting vaccinated in October means protection is in place before late December, when last season’s record peak hit.

Forty-six weekly hospitalizations is a small number compared with what Colorado saw last winter. The 2025-26 season set state records, with more than 5,900 flu hospitalizations, including nearly 1,200 children, according to CPR.

During that season’s worst stretch, the state recorded 831 flu hospitalizations in a single week shortly after Christmas, the most since Colorado began tracking flu about two decades ago, CPR reported at the time. In early January, the weekly hospitalization rate was 1.6 times higher than at the same point the season before.

The current numbers do not say how severe this season will be. State officials have not issued a forecast, and early-season trends can level off, speed up, or arrive at a different time than in past years. What the data show is direction: flu activity is increasing and is no longer at summer lows.

Herlihy has also tied vaccination to hospital demand. “If we saw higher levels of vaccination, I do believe we would have fewer hospitalizations occurring,” she said, according to CPR.

One encouraging detail is the match between this year’s vaccine and the virus. Herlihy said the flu strain now circulating most in Colorado matches the strain included in this season’s vaccines, which is generally a good sign for how well the shot works.

Flu is not the only virus on the move. COVID-19 levels in Colorado wastewater have been rising for the past couple of weeks at nearly all tracking utilities, which often signals more cases ahead. A study by the state and the Colorado School of Public Health found COVID wastewater data are among the most reliable real-time indicators for anticipating hospital bed demand.

COVID hospitalizations peaked at 43 in mid-September, the highest since March, and have declined since. Herlihy said the virus does not seem to be leading to high numbers of hospitalizations or deaths, and that some COVID trends are starting to stabilize.

For households, the wastewater signal is a reason to keep at-home COVID tests on hand and to test when symptoms start, especially before visiting an older or medically fragile relative. Flu and COVID can look alike in the first days of illness, and a test can help guide treatment.

RSV, which hits infants and older adults hardest, has not yet arrived in force. Herlihy said it is probably just weeks away. That timing matters for parents of newborns and for older adults. The CDC recommends RSV vaccination for adults 75 and older and for adults 50 to 74 at increased risk of severe illness.

The people at highest risk of serious flu complications include young children, adults 65 and older, pregnant people, and anyone with chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Nursing home residents also face higher risk.

Dr. Michelle Barron, an infectious diseases physician at UCHealth, recommends flu and COVID vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, and strongly urges them for very young children, people over 65, and pregnant people, CPR reported. She also said COVID vaccination helps lower the risk of long COVID. Federal guidance currently treats COVID vaccination as an individual decision made with a health care provider.

Shots are available at clinics and pharmacies across Colorado for free or at low cost. Most insurance plans cover flu vaccination, and people without insurance can ask their local public health agency about low-cost or no-cost options. Getting flu and COVID shots at the same visit is common. Herlihy said it takes a couple of weeks after vaccination to reach full protection, so October timing gives the shot room to work.

Flu usually starts suddenly with fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Many healthy adults recover at home with rest and fluids. People at high risk who develop symptoms should contact a clinician quickly, since antiviral medicines work best when started early, ideally within two days of getting sick.

The CDC’s emergency warning signs of flu complications include trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion, severe weakness, seizures, and symptoms that improve and then return worse. In children, warning signs also include fast breathing, ribs pulling in with each breath, bluish lips or face, dehydration, and not being alert or interacting when awake.

Simple habits still help. Staying home when sick, washing hands often, and covering coughs can slow spread through schools and workplaces, especially in the weeks before Thanksgiving travel.

CDPHE updates its respiratory dashboard regularly, and MedicalDaily will track whether weekly flu hospitalizations keep climbing. For now, the most useful step for Colorado households is an October flu shot.

How many people are hospitalized with flu in Colorado?

Forty-six people were hospitalized with flu in the most recent week reported, up from one in late August, according to state data reported by CPR.

State officials have not made a forecast. The numbers show flu activity is rising, but they do not predict how severe the season will be.

Last season set Colorado records, with more than 5,900 flu hospitalizations and a peak of 831 in one week after Christmas.

Does this year’s flu vaccine match the circulating virus?

The state epidemiologist said the predominant flu strain in Colorado matches the strain in this season’s vaccines.

The CDC recommends flu vaccines for everyone 6 months and older, especially young children, adults over 65 and pregnant people.

COVID is rising in wastewater, though hospitalizations have declined since mid-September. RSV is expected within weeks.

When should someone with flu seek emergency care?

Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, seizures, severe weakness or symptoms that improve and then return worse.