HealthSaturday, November 7
Flu season is arriving early in Oregon, and seniors are hit hardest
The Daily Lake Oswego team
If you've felt a tickle in your throat, you're not imagining it. Flu is picking up early in Oregon: positive tests rose to more than 10% for Oct. 25 through 31, up from less than 8% the week before. Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties had nearly 40 hospitalizations that week.
Most flu hospitalizations so far involve patients over 65
81of 145 hospitalizations so far involve patients over 65
Source: KEZI
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| of 145 hospitalizations so far involve patients over 65 | 81 |
Dr. Melissa Sutton of the Oregon Health Authority calls it "an unusually early flu season," though that doesn't necessarily mean a severe one. Dr. Patrick Luedtke, the senior public health officer, said trouble breathing means "You should go see somebody." Just 30% of Oregonians got a flu shot last season. We suggest not putting yours off.
- Most cases: Portland area
- Highest positivity: central, eastern and southern Oregon
- Federal forecast: a moderately severe season
- Vaccine match: Sutton says the flu looks well matched
Health care workers' flu shot rate fell from 85% to 52%
Source: Willamette Week
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Health care workers, 2019-20 | 85% |
| Health care workers, 2025-26 | 52% |
| All Oregonians, 2025-26 | 30% |
| Nursing facility workers, 2025-26 | 25% |
Sources: KEZI, Willamette Week