Influenza and RSV Cases on the Rise, While COVID-19 Declines

Influenza activity remains high in the community, with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases also increasing. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are on a downward trend, according to the latest epidemiological report from the EHRC, covering the period from January 27 to February 2. During this time, 15 new severe influenza cases requiring ICU hospitalization and seven influenza-related deaths were recorded.

Influenza Virus

Community influenza positivity, as monitored by the PHC Sentinel surveillance network, remains above the seasonal threshold, showing no significant change from the previous week. However, samples from the SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) surveillance network indicate a week-over-week increase.

Last week’s data:

• 15 new severe cases requiring ICU hospitalization
• 7 influenza-related deaths
• 1 additional severe case retrospectively reported

Seasonal overview (from January 2024 – February 2, 2025):

• 113 severe ICU cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza
• 30 influenza-related deaths
• 91 total deaths in severe cases since January 2024

Out of 2,154 specimens tested across different surveillance networks:

                    312 (14.5%) were positive for influenza viruses

• • 262 (86.5%) were Influenza A
  • 41 (13.5%) were Influenza B

Further subtyping of 243 Influenza A strains identified:

• 163 (67%) as A(H1)pdm09
• 80 (33%) as A(H3)

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

COVID-19 indicators continue to decline across all tested samples.

Key statistics from last week:

• 234 new hospital admissions (down from the 4-week average of 496)
• 5 new intubations (previous 4-week average: 11)
• 21 patients remain intubated
• 17 COVID-related deaths (previous 4-week average: 25)

Year-to-date COVID-19 fatalities (2024 – present):

• 369 deaths in severe cases (intubated and/or ICU hospitalized)

Variants:

• The KP.3 and XEC subvariants of BA.2.86 remain dominant.

Wastewater surveillance:

• Nationally, viral load in municipal wastewater remains low and continues to decrease compared to historical data.

Other Respiratory Infections

Flu-like Illness (ILI) – Regardless of Pathogen

• Cases per 1,000 visits increased from the previous week.

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) – Regardless of Pathogen

• Cases per 1,000 visits decreased from the previous week.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

• Positivity increased in both community surveillance (Sentinel PHC network) and SARI surveillance network but overall remains low.

Key Takeaways:

Influenza and RSV cases are rising, with severe flu hospitalizations continuing.
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are on the decline.
Flu-like illness is increasing, while severe respiratory infections (SARI) are decreasing.
New COVID-19 variants (KP.3 & XEC) remain dominant, but the overall spread is slowing.