DOH: Rapid Rise for Flu, COVID-19, RSV in Pennsylvania

December 24, 2025

Heading into the winter holidays, flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all increasing rapidly in Pennsylvania.

The latest data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health comes as thousands of Pennsylvanians travel and gather and winter respiratory virus season appears to be in full swing.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Flu:  There have been 20,881 laboratory-confirmed flu cases through Saturday, and the percentage of emergency department visits with flu is at moderate levels.
  • There have been 2,141 adult and 402 pediatric admissions through the season and 22 flu-related deaths this year.
  • Weekly flu cases (9,001) are rising ahead of last year's total (5,772) during the same week.
  • Across the U.S., there have been 4,600,000 illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations, and 1,900 deaths from flu so far this season, per the CDC.
• COVID-19:  There were 382 new adult hospital admissions for COVID-19 through December 13, including 30 new pediatric hospital admissions.
  • Season-to-date, there have been 3,141 adult and 259 pediatric admissions.
  • Emergency department visits remain at low levels.
• RSV:  There have been 3,293 lab-confirmed cases of RSV reported season-to-date.
  • Emergency department visits remain at low levels.
• Emergency care:  Nearly 13 percent of emergency department visits last week included respiratory symptoms, up from 11.82 percent a week prior.
  •  Nationally, emergency departments visits are increasing for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, per the CDC.
• Bottom line:    “Holiday travel and get-togethers can spread germs fast.
  If you're sick, stay home. Feeling better? Wear a mask if you’re still coughing or sneezing,” the Department of Health noted. “Wash hands often. Cover your cough. Get your flu shot. Let’s keep our holidays healthy!”

See additional details from the Pennsylvania Department of Health online.