At this point we are still seeing active COVID-19 and flu transmission in Oregon, while transmission of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) has slowed significantly and Oregon met criteria for the end of RSV season March 30. (Note: Flu and RSV activity typically follows a seasonal pattern—increasing in the fall and winter and dissipating over the warmer months—while COVID-19 activity is still relatively unpredictable.)
As we saw last season (2022-2023), COVID-19, flu and RSV account for a large proportion of hospitalizations for respiratory viruses during the fall and winter months. This season’s peak of combined COVID-19, flu and RSV hospitalizations was not as high as last season’s. Additionally, total hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and flu are lower this season than they were at this time last season.
Status of respiratory viruses in Oregon
COVID-19
Note: As of Feb. 28, people ages 65 and older are recommended to receive another dose of the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, at least four months after their previous dose.
This week we reported a 3.5% test positivity rate for COVID-19, which indicates low community transmission in Oregon, based on data reported to health officials during the week ending April 6.
“COVID-19 still has the potential to cause severe disease,” said Melissa Sutton, M.D., M.P.H., medical director, respiratory viral pathogens at OHA. “To protect themselves and their loved ones, we encourage all people in Oregon to get vaccinated with the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.”
Over time, test percent positivity has proven to be an extremely accurate measure of COVID-19 community transmission, correlating with wastewater surveillance data that Oregon collects and reports weekly. Both tools can be found on our Respiratory Virus Data homepage.
Recent COVID-19 transmission is driven by the JN.1 Omicron subvariant, and no new subvariant is predicted to cause more severe disease.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate in Oregon has decreased to its lowest point since last summer, with the CDC predicting a leveling off in COVID-19-associated hospitalizations into mid-May.
Influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
Based on data reported during the week ending April 6:
- Influenza community transmission in Oregon has begun to decrease following a second wave which began in March, with a test percent positivity of 7.4%. Overall influenza activity is moderate, and it’s never too late to get vaccinated against influenza. Keep up on flu activity in Oregon by subscribing to OHA’s weekly FluBites data report here.
- RSV season has ended. While RSV continues to circulate at low levels, the overall risk of disease is very low.
Safety measures that protect us from COVID-19, flu and RSV.
- CDC’s Respiratory Virus Guidance provides detailed information on how to reduce the risk of all respiratory viruses.
- Getting immunized against COVID-19, the flu and RSV (for young infants and older Oregonians ).
- Stay home if you are sick – until you are feeling better.
- Cover your coughs and wash your hands often.
- For those at increased risk of severe disease or who live with someone who is at higher risk for severe disease, OHA recommends considering masking indoors when respiratory virus transmission is significant, as it is now.
- Plan ahead. Anyone at high risk for complications from respiratory illnesses should plan ahead to get tested, should they develop symptoms for COVID-19 or the flu (which present similarly). If they test positive, OHA recommends asking their health care provider about getting antiviral treatments for either of those respiratory illnesses. We recommend people speak with their health care provider in advance to understand how they would proceed should symptoms develop.