As 2025 begins, there has been a noticeable rise in cases of flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and norovirus across the United States. Recent data from the CDC highlights this trend even as COVID-19 rates decline compared to last year. Health officials remain vigilant due to the risk of multiple viruses surging simultaneously, often referred to as a “tripledemic” or “quad-demic.”
According to the CDC, approximately 5.3 million Americans have contracted the flu this season. This increase has resulted in 63,000 hospitalizations and 2,700 deaths, including 11 fatalities among children. Currently, nearly 19% of influenza tests return positive results. RSV and COVID positivity rates are around 13% and 7%, respectively. Despite a decline, COVID hospitalization rates are less than half of what they were during the same period last year.
Wastewater surveillance indicates that RSV and COVID could still rise, with COVID showing “high” activity and RSV detections being particularly “very high” in Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Adding to the concern, norovirus positive test rates have exceeded 22%, hitting at least a five-year high and surpassing the usual seasonal rates of 15% or lower.
The CDC plans to release updated data soon to assess the effects of post-holiday virus transmission.
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