Flu activity is rising earlier than usual in Western Washington, with health officials reporting two influenza-related deaths and a sharp increase in Snohomish County hospitalizations as of the first week of October. A man in his 70s from Edmonds who had underlying medical conditions died Oct. 3 after being hospitalized with influenza A, according to the Snohomish County Health Department. The infection occurred at the very end of the 2025-26 flu season, but the department is counting the death as the first of the new season for practical purposes. In recent years, Snohomish County’s first reported flu death typically came in November or later. Thurston County health officials also reported an influenza-related death but did not release details about the person. The county had reported no flu deaths in October, November or December of 2025. Snohomish County reported 63 flu hospitalizations since Aug. 30, with 31 occurring in the week before the figures were announced. Officials said those totals—and the death—are numbers the county would not typically see until December. Dr. George Diaz, chief of medicine at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, said the start of flu season has been unusually active, alongside COVID-19 cases. He said some people have delayed flu vaccination in recent years, and encouraged residents to get vaccinated sooner rather than waiting for later in the season. Diaz said the hospital’s regional health care consortium recommends staff masking when COVID-19 levels reach about 14.5%; Snohomish County was at roughly 12% the previous week, he said. Snohomish County recorded 24 flu-related deaths and more than 600 hospitalizations during the 2025-26 season, down from a record 54 deaths and more than 860 hospitalizations in 2024-25. Flu vaccination, covering coughs, handwashing, staying home when sick and wearing a mask while ill can help reduce transmission, Diaz said. Protection from a vaccine takes several days to about a week to develop, he added, making early vaccination especially useful before people gather indoors with friends and family. Residents can ask their health care providers about vaccination or check with local pharmacies. Snohomish County also maintains a list of clinics offering immunizations, including options for walk-ins and people seeking assistance with costs.