Summary: Week of 1/10/26
Biobot’s national wastewater network shows that respiratory viruses remain elevated nationwide. COVID, RSV, and influenza B levels continue to rise. Influenza A declined for the first time in several weeks, but it’s still too soon to call this the peak—it’s not uncommon for flu activity to dip before climbing again. Even with the recent decline, flu A remains at high levels.
The Bottom Line: We are still in the thick of the respiratory virus season. Consider taking precautions for yourself and your family in crowded indoor spaces. And if you haven’t yet, it’s still not too late to get vaccinated.
National Outlook
COVID-19
National SARS-CoV-2 activity is increasing.
Influenza
National influenza A activity is decreasing while influenza B continues to increase.
RSV
National RSV activity is increasing.
Regional Outlook
The South
COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is increasing in the South.
Influenza: Influenza A is decreasing in the south while influenza B is holding steady.
RSV: RSV is increasing in the South.
The Midwest
COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is increasing in the Midwest.
Influenza: Influenza A is decreasing in the Midwest while influenza B is increasing.
RSV: RSV is increasing in the Midwest.
The Northeast
COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is increasing in the Northeast.
Influenza: Influenza A is decreasing in the Northeast while influenza B is holding steady.
RSV: RSV is increasing in the Northeast.
The West
COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 is increasing in the West.
Influenza: Influenza A is holding steady in the West while influenza B is increasing.
RSV: RSV is increasing in the West.
Footnotes:
We continue to monitor the evolving H5N1 influenza virus situation, and can now test samples specifically for H5 (including H5N1) — see our blog here and 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 January 10, 2026 (MMWR week 1).