Influenza and RSV cases showed a decrease in North Dakota while COVID-19 cases slightly increased from the prior week, 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 2.

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 2, North Dakota reported 134 influenza cases, reflecting a decrease from the prior week, and RSV cases decreased to 57 statewide. COVID-19 cases slightly increased to 22 during the reporting week.

Since the beginning of the 2025-26 respiratory season on Aug. 1, North Dakota has reported 13,502 influenza cases, 5,317 COVID-19 cases and 2,000 RSV cases.

Vital records data indicate 27 influenza-related deaths, 42 COVID-19-related deaths and two RSV deaths reported during the season to date.

During the reporting week, four influenza-related hospitalizations, five COVID-19 hospitalizations and 13 RSV hospitalizations were reported.

Season-to-date hospitalization totals statewide include 966 influenza-related hospitalizations, 777 COVID-19-related hospitalizations and 305 RSV-related hospitalizations.

Outpatient surveillance data collected through the Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILINet) indicated a statewide influenza-like illness percentage of 0.67%, a slight decrease from the prior week.

Influenza test positivity was 3.09%, representing a decrease from the prior week. COVID-19 test positivity slightly increased to 1.65%, while RSV test positivity decreased to 5.91%.

State health officials also reported that 26.87% of North Dakota residents ages 6 months and older have received an influenza vaccination this season, a slight 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 categorized as low with no change from the prior week and RSV activity was categorized as low while increased from the prior week statewide.