Connecticut Reports Six Flu Deaths, Earlier Than Last Season

WHO:

NBC News - Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said, “Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the people that have been lost. These deaths are a sobering reminder that flu can be serious, especially for older adults, and that respiratory virus season is already here.”

NBC News - Virologist Andrew Pekosz of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said, “If you haven’t gotten it yet for whatever reason, now’s the time to get vaccinated because the flu season is starting a little bit sooner and you need at least two weeks for the vaccine immunity to (reach) protective levels.”

WTNH - The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) announced the deaths; all six people were Connecticut residents aged 55 and older.

WHAT:

NBC News - Connecticut flu cases increased more than 22% from the prior week, and flu-related hospitalizations increased more than 64%.

NBC News - Nationwide, positive flu tests increased nearly 6% in the latest available CDC data.

NBC News - A newly mutated H1N1 influenza A strain is thought to be responsible for many early flu cases; experts said it is too early to know whether the version causes more serious illness.

NBC News - Experts recommend flu vaccination; the vaccine was available at pharmacies, clinics and doctors’ offices.

WTNH - CT DPH reported six influenza-related deaths in Connecticut since late September.

CT News Junkie - The first influenza death of the season occurred about a month earlier than the first flu death reported in the previous season.

CT News Junkie - Since September, Connecticut had nine COVID-19-related deaths and no RSV deaths.

WHERE:

WTNH - The influenza deaths were among Connecticut residents.

WHEN:

NBC News - Cases typically increase around October and continue through March, though they can persist through May, according to the Mayo Clinic.

WTNH - One person died during the week ending Sept. 26; three people died during the week ending [...]. The article excerpt does not provide the remaining timing details.

CT News Junkie - In the previous season, the first influenza death was reported during the week of October 25.

WHY:

CT News Junkie - The reported first flu death occurred earlier than in the previous season; the article does not give a reason.

HOW:

WTNH - CT DPH announced the death count; the article attributes the age and residency details to the department.

(UPDATED October 29, 2026 18:02 UTC)

Connecticut health officials report six flu-related deaths since late September, all among residents aged 55 and older, as flu cases rose more than 22% and hospitalizations more than 64% in a week. The first flu death came about a month earlier than last season, and officials say a newly mutated H1N1 strain may be behind many early cases, though it is too soon to know whether it causes more severe illness. Public health experts urge people who haven’t yet received a flu shot to get vaccinated, noting it takes about two weeks for protection to develop.

--

(UPDATED October 29, 2026 11:00 UTC)

Connecticut health officials reported six influenza-related deaths among state residents aged 55 and older since late September. The first flu death this season occurred about a month earlier than the first reported death in the previous season. Since September, Connecticut has also recorded nine COVID-19-related deaths and no RSV deaths.