Has Respiratory Virus Season Peaked?

January 27, 2025

Hospitals in Pennsylvania and around the nation are facing a so-called “quad-demic” of seasonal illnesses, but public health data may show some encouraging signs.

Trends in seasonal illnesses like COVID-19, the flu, RSV, and the norovirus have become even more unpredictable in our post-pandemic era, public health officials say. The commonwealth is among the 15 states that remain at “high” or “very high” levels for respiratory illnesses.

Here are some key things to know as we approach February:

• By the numbers:  Flu activity remains high in Pennsylvania. RSV levels are high but decreasing, and emergency department visits for COVID-19 are decreasing statewide, per the state's dashboard.
  • About 15 percent of emergency department visits were for respiratory symptoms.
• Positive tests:  U.S. test positivity for the flu increased to 25 percent.
  • COVID-19 and RSV test positivity have remained relatively flat at 6.2 percent and 8.8 percent, respectively.
• What’s in the wastewater?:  Wastewater viral activity levels for influenza A are at high levels, but COVID-19 and RSV wastewater viral activity levels are only moderate.
• What’s next?:  The CDC estimates COVID-19 will remain at a lower levels when compared to recent winters.
  •  The public health agency also forecasts emergency department visits will remain high for the flu and could increase in most states.
  • Per the CDC, epidemic trends indicate new respiratory infections for the flu are still growing in Pennsylvania.
• Quotable:  “The amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek health care remains high,” the CDC noted in its latest update.

HAP encourages everyone to do their part to help limit the spread of seasonal illnesses. This includes following proper public health precautions, staying home when sick, and getting the updated COVID-19 and flu shots.

HAP has updated our toolkit on seasonal illnesses and strain on emergency departments. The toolkit emphasizes key messages about the ways hospitals care for our communities as they see flu, norovirus, RSV, and COVID-19 spread throughout the commonwealth.