U.S. Faces Surge in Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and Norovirus Cases

A convergence of respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses is straining hospitals and raising public health concerns nationwide.

The CDC has reported significant increases in flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus cases, with flu and norovirus showing the sharpest spikes.
Flu positivity rates have reached 18.8%, and norovirus outbreaks are at their highest levels since 2019, with nearly 28% of tests returning positive for the stomach virus.
Hospitals across the country are nearing capacity, with emergency department visits for flu and RSV classified as 'high' or 'very high,' adding strain to healthcare systems.
Vaccination rates for flu, COVID-19, and RSV remain low, with only 43% of adults vaccinated against the flu and 23% receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Public health officials emphasize the importance of handwashing to prevent norovirus spread and are urging increased vaccination to mitigate the impact of respiratory viruses.