Influenza and COVID-19 cases decreased while RSV cases showed a slight increase in North Dakota, 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 Saturday, May 16.

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 May 16, North Dakota reported 80 influenza cases and eight COVID-19 cases statewide, reflecting a decrease from the prior week. RSV cases slightly increased to 39 from the prior week.

Since the beginning of the 2025-26 respiratory season on Aug. 1, North Dakota has reported 13,687 influenza cases, 5,352 COVID-19 cases and 2,071 RSV cases.

Vital records data indicate 28 influenza-related deaths, showing a slight increase from the prior week. There were 43 COVID-19-related deaths and two RSV-related deaths, both showing no change from the prior week.

During the reporting week, seven influenza-related hospitalizations and 14 RSV hospitalizations reflected a slight increase from the prior week, and two COVID-19 hospitalizations, showed a decrease from the prior week.

Season-to-date hospitalization totals include 971 influenza-related hospitalizations, 788 COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 355 RSV-related hospitalizations statewide.

Outpatient surveillance data collected through the Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILINet) indicated a statewide influenza-like illness percentage of .79%, showing no change from the prior week.

Influenza test positivity was 7.01%, representing a slight increase from the prior week. COVID-19 test positivity decreased to 0.58%, while RSV test positivity slightly increased to 5.01%.

State health officials also reported that 26.87% of North Dakota residents ages 6 months and older have received an influenza vaccination this season, showing no change from the prior week.

Based on current surveillance indicators, influenza, COVID-19 and RSV activity in North Dakota was classified as low. Influenza and COVID-19 activity level showed no change from the prior week. RSV showed an increase in activity level from the prior week.