COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV Wastewater Monitoring in the U.S. | Week of January 17, 2026

Summary: Week of 1/17/26

Biobot’s national wastewater network shows that we’ve passed the peak of the respiratory season. For the first time since the season began, all three major viruses—influenza, COVID-19, and RSV—are declining nationally. That’s great news. But we’re not out of the woods just yet. Virus levels remain elevated, and patterns vary across regions. In some areas, influenza B and RSV are still rising or holding steady.

The Bottom Line: We’re on the downward slope of the respiratory season and can look forward to less virus in the weeks ahead. Still, with elevated transmission in many areas, it’s a good time to take precautions—like masking in crowded indoor spaces—and, if you haven’t yet, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

National Outlook

COVID-19

Nationally, SARS-CoV-2 is decreasing.

Influenza

Nationally, influenza A and B are decreasing.

RSV

Nationally, RSV is decreasing.

Regional Outlook

The South

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

Influenza: Influenza A and B are decreasing in the south.

RSV: RSV is holding steady in the South.

The Midwest

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

Influenza: Influenza A and B are decreasing in the Midwest.

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.

RSV: RSV is decreasing 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 slightly 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 17, 2026 (MMWR week 2).