COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV Wastewater Monitoring in the U.S. | Week of February 21, 2026

Summary: Week of 2/21/26

Influenza B continues to surge across the U.S. as measured by Biobot’s wastewater tracking. Clinical data shows the same trend with the percent of positive flu tests that are flu B continuing to rise. Meanwhile RSV is holding steady at high levels, and, in better news, COVID-19 is declining again.

The Bottom Line: Flu B continues to grow while RSV is holding on, showing that we are still very much in the respiratory season. For those at higher risk for severe illness (young children, older adults, immunocompromised, etc.), it’s still a good time to continue layering protections (like masking in indoor crowded spaces or increasing ventilation), and test early if symptoms start (there are now rapid tests for the flu you can buy at your local pharmacy).

National Outlook

COVID-19

Nationally, SARS-CoV-2 is decreasing again.

Influenza

Nationally, influenza A is decreasing while influenza B continues to increase substantially.

RSV

Nationally, RSV is holding steady at elevated levels.

Regional Outlook

The South

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is decreasing in the South.

Influenza: Influenza A is decreasing in the South, while influenza B is increasing substantially.

RSV: RSV is decreasing in the South.

The Midwest

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is decreasing in the Midwest.

Influenza: Influenza A is decreasing in the Midwest, while influenza B is increasing substantially.

RSV: RSV is decreasing in the Midwest.

The Northeast

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is decreasing in the Northeast.

Influenza: Influenza A is decreasing in the Northeast, while influenza B is increasing substantially.

RSV: RSV is increasing in the Northeast.

The West

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is decreasing in the West.

Influenza: Influenza A is decreasing in the West, while influenza B is increasing.

RSV: RSV is decreasing in the West.

Footnotes:

We continue to monitor the evolving H5N1 influenza virus situation, and can now test samples specifically for H5 (including H5N1) — please reach out to hello@biobot.io if interested. A quick reminder that Biobot’s influenza A assay described in this report includes the H5N1 influenza subtype, which is an influenza A virus, but does not distinguish between the different subtypes of influenza A (e.g. H5N1 vs H1N1). We will share any important updates as we have them. 

Wastewater data from Biobot Analytics for RSV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 are through February 21, 2026 (MMWR week 7).