Several states are experiencing a surge in hospital visits due to respiratory illnesses as the New Year begins. According to the CDC, emergency department visits for flu and RSV are now at the “very high” activity level nationally, while COVID-19 visits remain low. Affected states include Kansas, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.

The CDC calculates activity levels based on average illness rates when respiratory illnesses are typically low. Health officials recommend flu vaccinations for everyone aged 6 months and older, noting it’s not too late to get vaccinated. They also advise frequent handwashing, avoiding face-touching, cleaning surfaces, and steering clear of sick individuals.

Norovirus cases are also rising, with 91 outbreaks reported in December. Meanwhile, the CDC is monitoring the H5N1 bird flu strain. Although 66 human cases were reported in the U.S. last year, all were linked to animal contact, and the risk of human transmission remains low.