From the ND Department of Health - Health Advisory on Respiratory Virus Activity

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is providing this update
and guidance to providers regarding increasing sickness due to respiratory illness.
Increases in illness due to respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus (RSV), influenza,
COVID-19 and other viruses are being reported nationwide.

In North Dakota, both influenza and COVID-19 cases are beginning to increase.
According to the North Dakota Immunization Information System (NDIIS), influenza
doses administered are thousands of doses lower for children and adults this season
compared to last season.

Last season’s flu vaccination rates among North Dakota children ages 6 months
through 5 years were only 34.2%, compared to 52% during the 2019-2020 influenza
season.

Only 33.4% of North Dakota adults ages 65 and older who completed the primary series
have received a bivalent booster dose.

Vaccination remains the best tool available to help prevent influenza and COVID-19
infections and serious outcomes from these infections. Treatment options are available
for both influenza and COVID-19. Testing can help guide clinical treatment and
management. Influenza and COVID-19 are reportable conditions; most laboratories are
reporting laboratory-confirmed cases electronically.

Although RSV is not reportable, sentinel laboratories in North Dakota have reported
increases in RSV testing and positivity in the last several weeks.

Click below to read the entire advisory:

Press Release- Resp Illness 11.7.22