Influenza and COVID-19 cases showed a decrease in North Dakota while RSV cases increased at the end of March, according to data released by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

The current respiratory disease surveillance data for North Dakota is for the week ending Wednesday, March 25.

The report provides a weekly summary of respiratory disease activity in North Dakota, including influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Data are used for disease surveillance and monitoring of trends. All data are preliminary and subject to revision.

During the week ending March 25, North Dakota reported 574 influenza cases, reflecting a slight decrease from the prior week, and COVID-19 cases decreased to 75 statewide. RSV cases increased to 216 during the reporting week.

Since the beginning of the 2025-26 respiratory season on Aug. 1, North Dakota has reported 11,669 influenza cases, 5,050 COVID-19 cases and 1,249 RSV cases.

Vital records data indicate 23 influenza-related deaths and 38 COVID-19-related deaths reported during the season to date. One RSV-related death has been reported.

During the reporting week, 23 influenza-related hospitalizations, 26 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 29 RSV hospitalizations were reported.

Season-to-date hospitalization totals statewide include 913 influenza-related hospitalizations, 737 COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 172 RSV-related hospitalizations.

Outpatient surveillance data collected through the Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILINet) indicated a statewide influenza-like illness percentage of 2.18%, a slight decrease from the prior week.

Influenza test positivity was 22.95%, representing a decrease from the prior week. COVID-19 test positivity declined to 1.99%, while RSV test positivity increased to 11.42%.

State health officials also reported that 26.72% of North Dakota residents ages 6 months and older have received an influenza vaccination this season, an increase from the prior week.

Based on current surveillance indicators, influenza activity in North Dakota was classified as moderate during the reporting week. COVID-19 activity was also categorized as moderate, while RSV activity was categorized as moderate while increased statewide.