Flu map: Ohio hospitalizations fall for flu; RSV and COVID-19 largely unchanged

Each week, the Center for Disease Control publishes a U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report.

Included in that report is an Outpatient Respiratory Illness Activity Map. The map is based on data collected that monitors visits for respiratory illness that includes fever plus a cough or sore throat.

This data is not from laboratory confirmed influenza and may capture patient visits due to other respiratory pathogens that cause similar symptoms.

Overall seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally but is decreasing in most areas of the country.

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 27,000,000 illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths from flu so far this season.

The CDC reported 11 influenza-associated pediatric deaths this week for the 2025–2026 season, increasing the total number of reported pediatric flu-related deaths to 101.

Among children who were eligible for influenza vaccination and with known vaccine status, approximately 85% of reported pediatric deaths this season have occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated against influenza.

Influenza hospitalizations in Ohio dropped from 518 to 453 for the weekly period ending Mar. 12. That is 65 less than the previous week, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Hospitalizations for RSV in Ohio rose to 389, an increase of six from the previous week, Covid‑19 hospitalizations fell by 11 to 305.