Flu, COVID-19, RSV Increasing in Pennsylvania

December 16, 2025

Pennsylvania’s respiratory virus season is underway ahead of the winter holidays.

The latest report from the state Department of Health indicates flu activity is increasing rapidly, while COVID-19 and RSV also are on the rise.

Here’s what you need to know from the state’s respiratory virus dashboard:

• Flu:  Pennsylvania’s weekly flu cases (4,055) are tracking ahead of last year’s pace (2,572).
  • There were 414 new adult hospital admissions for the flu, and 92 pediatric hospital admissions. Emergency department visits with a flu diagnosis remain low.
• RSV:  There have been 2,300 lab-confirmed RSV cases through Saturday. Through December 6, there have been 76 new adult hospital admissions and 78 pediatric hospital admissions.
• COVID-19:  There were 336 new adult hospital admissions and 25 new pediatric hospital admissions for COVID-19.
• Hospitalizations:  The percentage of emergency department visits for respiratory symptoms remains low (11.9%), with confirmed flu (1.8%), COVID-19 (0.6%), and RSV (0.2%) cases making up a small share of visits.
• What to watch:  Public health officials are monitoring a new flu A variant that is likely to be circulating this winter in the U.S. The variant, subclade K, could be the predominate flu A subtype this year but is not included in this year’s flu shot.

Ahead of the winter holidays, HAP urges everyone to take the public health precautions to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses. HAP will continue to monitor the latest public health updates for members. See additional insights from the state’s respiratory virus dashboard online.