Nasty flu season tears through Northern Virginia
InsideNoVa.com••general
Key Points:
- Northern Virginia is experiencing a severe flu season, with respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza, accounting for 22% of ER visits in the week ending January 3, driven by a mutated influenza A subclade k strain that emerged after the 2025 vaccine development.
- The U.S. CDC estimates at least 11 million flu cases nationwide this season, with 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, and flu spread rated high or very high in 48 states.
- Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care in Northern Virginia is facing very high respiratory illness levels and is increasing support staff and extending virtual visit hours to midnight to reduce emergency room visits.
- Flu cases began rising after holiday travel and gatherings, with symptoms including body
