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Respiratory Virus Risk Reports

Comprehensive Insights for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV

COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV Wastewater Monitoring in the U.S. | Week of May 17, 2025

 

Throughout the respiratory season, we analyze wastewater for the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (types A and B). Together with COVID-19, these three pathogens are outsized contributors to our seasonal respiratory illness burden. In this data series, we’ll guide you through the wealth of data we’ve gathered from our Biobot Network of national sampling sites, aiming to shed light on emerging trends in respiratory virus activity and community viral load. Our goal is to equip you with information to make informed decisions.

Data Note: Samples are collected from participating locations, and processed by our lab team on a rolling basis. Each point on the figure represents the weekly average concentration, from Sunday – Saturday (corresponding to the MMWR week), aligned to that week’s Saturday.

Contributors
Marisa Donnelly, PhD

Public Health Partnerships Epidemiologist

Previous Risk Reports

Summary: Week of 5/17/25

Biobot’s national wastewater network shows that COVID-19, influenza A & B, and RSV are declining in week 20 (through May 17, 2025). National hospitalizations for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV continue to decline, currently at 0.9, 0.3, and 0.2 per 100,000 people in week 19 (through May 10, 2025).

The Bottom Line: All major respiratory viruses are pretty low right now. Enjoy the respite! We’ll continue to keep an eye on things.

National Outlook

COVID-19

National SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are declining.

Influenza

National flu A & B concentrations are declining.

RSV

National RSV concentrations are declining.

Regional

The South

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are declining in the South.

Influenza: Influenza A & B concentrations in the South are holding steady at very low levels.

RSV: RSV concentrations are declining in the South.

The Midwest

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are declining in the Midwest.

Influenza: Influenza A & B concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the Midwest.  

RSV: RSV concentrations are declining in the Midwest.

The Northeast

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are declining in the Northeast.

Influenza: Influenza A concentrations are holding steady at very-low levels in the Northeast, while influenza B is declining.

RSV: RSV concentrations are declining in the Northeast.

The West

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are increasing slightly in the West, but remain low.

Influenza: Influenza A & B concentrations in the West are holding steady at very-low and low levels, respectively.

RSV: RSV concentrations are declining 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 via Bluesky and in the risk reports.

Wastewater data from Biobot Analytics for RSV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 are through May 17, 2025 (MMWR week 20). Clinical data for RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updates to clinical data are through May 10, 2025 (MMWR week 19).