New York State Department of Health Announces Start of Weekly Respiratory Surveillance Report and Activation of Statewide Flu Tracker Website

Seasonal Dashboard Provides Snapshot View of Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Activity Across State

Department Urges New Yorkers to Avoid Serious Illness by Getting Vaccinated

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 7, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health today announced the launch of the new Respiratory Surveillance Report. The Department's longstanding weekly flu report has now expanded to include COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), offering a more comprehensive view of respiratory illness trends statewide. The updated report provides information on cases, hospitalizations, pediatric deaths, and outbreaks in both long-term and acute care facilities.

The Department has also reactivated the longstanding Flu Tracker dashboard, which provides a visual snapshot of laboratory-confirmed cases and hospitalizations associated with flu with options to view data by geographic location and track trends over time.

"As we head into the fall and winter seasons, when respiratory infections typically surge, you can now follow the data regarding flu, COVID and RSV along with us," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Flu, COVID and RSV are vaccine preventable diseases and these vaccines are the best protection against serious illness or death."

The Department's most recent Respiratory Viruses Surveillance Report, for the week ending November 01, 2025, shows there were 1,332 lab-confirmed cases of flu, 2,141 cases of COVID-19, and 734 cases of RSV reported in New York. Additionally, 72 people were hospitalized with flu, 298 with COVID-19, and 53 with RSV. For flu and RSV, these are increases over the previous week.

While the number of reported cases is currently low, the late fall and winter months typically see a steady increase in respiratory virus infections as people are generally in close proximity and indoors, which increases transmission opportunities.

Both the Respiratory Viruses Surveillance Report and the Flu Tracker are available on the Department's Respiratory Viruses webpage, which also includes helpful information on prevention, reporting requirements, and other resources.

The expansion of the flu report to include COVID-19 and RSV is another step in the Department's ongoing activities to inform the general public about conditions that may be important to them, providing information for prevention. Similar reports include the Global Health Update Report, the Mosquito-borne Disease Activity Report and others available on the Department's website.

Symptoms of flu, COVID-19, and RSV can be similar in their early presentation. These include:

  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)

Avoiding illness by getting vaccinated remains the most effective way to prevent infection and reduce the risk of severe illness for children and adults, and for individuals who are at higher risk of serious complications from flu, COVID-19, and RSV. These vaccines are widely available, found at pharmacies, health clinics, and medical offices across the state.

  • FLU: The flu vaccine remains available to New Yorkers aged 2 and older at participating pharmacies without a prescription. Children 6 months and older can receive the flu vaccine at a health care provider's office.
  • COVID-19: New York State recently released the 2025–2026 COVID vaccine guidance that recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children (6 months to 18 years old), all adults, and individuals at higher risk, including those who are pregnant, lactating or immunocompromised. 
  • RSV: While the vaccine may be available at provider offices, there is a statewide standing order allowing pharmacists in New York State to administer the RSV vaccine to eligible individuals. This includes adults 75 years and older, people 60-75 with underlying medical conditions and pregnant people.

Simple preventative actions can also help stop the spread of respiratory viruses:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when sick.
  • Cover cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

In addition, individuals who experience symptoms or live with, care for, or are considered at a heightened risk of severe illness – including children five years of age or younger, pregnant people, older adults and those with underlying health conditions – should also consider wearing a well-fitting mask when around others.

To increase public knowledge about the spread of these respiratory illnesses, and the importance of vaccinations as a critical prevention step, the Department also shares information on social media platforms Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Facebook.