# Early flu season hits WA as COVID cases rise

> WA sees early flu surge with 400+ ER visits and rising COVID cases.
- Title: Early flu season hits WA as COVID cases rise · Seattletimes
- Summary: WA sees early flu surge with 400+ ER visits and rising COVID cases. King County emergency departments saw 400+ flu patients in October, up from 50 normally…
- Keywords: king county, seattle, flu season, covid cases, emergency visits, multi care, providence swedish, childrens hospital, news, local, Early, flu
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/early-flu-season-lands-in-wa-as-covid-numbers-also-rise
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: king county, seattle, flu season, covid cases, emergency visits, multi care, providence swedish, childrens hospital, news, local
## Early flu season starts
King County emergency departments saw 400+ flu patients in October, up from 50 normally.

> It’s definitely here
## Flu cases spike in WA
Flu emergency visits and positive tests rose 330% at Providence Swedish compared to last year.
## Children’s hospital sees high flu rates
6% of Seattle Children’s ER patients had flu as of early October, up from 0% last year.
## Flu deaths reported
Nine King County residents died from flu complications since late September.
## Flu strain changes
20% of Children’s flu tests were positive for influenza A, up from less than 2% in August.
## Flu vaccine recommendations
Doctors urge getting flu shots now as vaccines take two weeks to kick in.
## COVID cases rise
King County has 12 ongoing COVID outbreaks at long-term care facilities.
## Flu season concerns
Experts warn flu season could become more severe for older adults.
## Key takeaway

King County emergency departments saw 400+ flu patients in October, up from 50 normally, as flu season starts early with rising COVID cases.