North Dakota Respiratory Illness Activity Stays Low
Influenza and COVID-19 activity edged up slightly while RSV activity declined in the week ending October 24.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Diseases — General
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North Dakota's respiratory disease activity remains low for the week ending October 24, 2026, according to the state's weekly surveillance summary. Influenza and COVID-19 activity increased slightly while RSV activity decreased slightly.
Why it matters
Low activity levels early in the respiratory season give health officials and residents a current snapshot of how widespread influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are across North Dakota. Tracking weekly trends helps indicate when seasonal increases may begin.
North Dakota reported 45 influenza cases, 40 COVID-19 cases, and one RSV case in the week ending October 24, with seasonal totals of 187, 270, and 23 cases respectively. The statewide influenza-like illness percentage stands at 0.66%, and the extraction does not indicate when activity levels are expected to rise.
The players
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
The state agency that publishes the weekly respiratory disease summary and collects surveillance data on influenza, COVID-19, and RSV across North Dakota.
The details
Outpatient surveillance data collected through the Influenza-Like Illness Network (ILINet) shows seven influenza-related hospitalizations during the reporting week. Seasonal hospitalizations include 42 for influenza, 17 for COVID-19, and six for RSV, and vital records indicate no deaths from these three illnesses this season.
Timeline
The current respiratory disease season began August 1, 2026.
The reporting week ended October 24, 2026.
The current respiratory disease season ends July 31, 2027.
Big Picture
North Dakota's weekly figures are gathered through the Influenza-Like Illness Network, the outpatient surveillance system that tracks influenza-like illness nationally. The low 0.66% statewide percentage places the current season at an early, quiet stage within that longer-running monitoring framework.
Residents experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms can use the current low statewide activity as a reference point when deciding whether to seek care. The extraction does not specify official vaccination or testing recommendations for the season.
The takeaway
Monitoring weekly counts helps readers see when respiratory illness is rising or falling in their state. Checking the latest state summary is a practical way to stay informed through the season.
Further reading
For broader context on infections tracked across the state, explore Diseases — General coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Minot Daily News.
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