What You Need To Know
Please find this week’s Respiratory Illness Surveillance Report which summarizes surveillance information for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.
Report highlights:
- The number of influenza cases, emergency department visits, outpatient provider visits and test positivity decreased compared to the previous week this season. Hospitalizations continue to predominantly be among persons 65 years of age and older.
- Influenza A activity continues to decrease and consistent with trends observed across much of the country, influenza B is now the predominant circulating virus. A third influenza associated pediatric death is being reported this week.
- The number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to RSV decreased this week compared to last, and admissions continue to predominantly be among persons 0-4 years of age and 65 years of age and older. Test positivity for RSV remains elevated.
- Emergency department visits and hospital admissions for COVID-19 decreased since the previous week. Hospital admissions are lower than they were this time last year and continue to be predominantly in persons 65 years and older. The predominant variant continues to be Omicron XFG.
- Respiratory outbreaks recently reported in long-term care facilities were due to influenza, COVID-19 and RSV while outbreaks reported in schools were due to influenza and RSV.
- Test positivity for seasonal coronaviruses remains elevated and is higher than it was this time last year. There have been recent increases in test positivity for human metapneumovirus.
Please contact the Communicable Disease Service at 609-826-5964 with questions. This report is posted at https://www.nj.gov/health/respiratory-viruses/data-and-reports/.
For additional information, visit the NJDOH CDS Respiratory Illness Dashboard and the NJDOH CDS Vaccination Coverage in NJ LTC Facilities Dashboard