Health Department Reports High Level of Flu in Community

Officials urge community members to take everyday preventive actions

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today reported high levels of flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Lancaster County. Forty-three states have reported high or very high levels of flu including Nebraska, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health Department data shows:

• Flu continues to increase with a positivity rate of 29.5% for week ending February 1 compared to 27.5% the previous week.
• Positive tests for flu in January 2025 were notably higher compared to the same time in previous years. Positive flu test totals in January over the past eight years:

• RSV is also rising with a positivity rate of 15.6% for week ending February 1, which is an increase from 13.9% the week prior.
• Wastewater testing shows an increase in viral particles detected for both flu and RSV.
• COVID-19 is circulating in the community but not at the same levels as flu and RSV. There were 57 cases of COVID-19 for week ending February 1, down from 67 the previous week.

“There’s a lot of flu and RSV out there this season according to our surveillance systems and that may continue for the next several weeks,” said Kerry Kernen, Health Director. “We urge people to take everyday preventive actions that protect against respiratory illnesses.”

Preventive actions include the following:

• Get vaccinated. It’s not too late.

• Stay home if you’re sick and avoid contact with others who are sick.
• Wash hands often.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wear a mask if you have cold, flu or COVID-like symptoms.
• Take a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID or if you’re attending a gathering or event.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces.

Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. Updated COVID-19 vaccine for this winter is also recommended for everyone age 6 months and older and is especially important for people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 including older adults and those with weakened immune systems.

RSV vaccine is recommended for adults age 75 and older and adults 60 to 74 at increased risk of severe illness from RSV. There’s also an RSV antibody injection for children 19 months and younger. Visit vaccines.gov to find flu and COVID-19 vaccine near you. Talk to your health care provider about whether RSV vaccine is right for you.

At-home COVID-19 test kits remain available in the main lobby of the Health Department during regular business hours. Test kits are also available at all Lincoln City Library locations. 

Additional respiratory illness season resources are available at lincoln.ne.gov/health by selecting the “Respiratory Illness Season” button.

Respiratory Illness Dashboard – A data dashboard that tracks the level of respiratory illnesses in our community like flu, respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, along with several other typical cold viruses. Recent enhancements to the dashboard for this season include:

• Wastewater surveillance data for flu, RSV, norovirus and other diseases.
• A school absenteeism category that shows the percentage of students absent from school due to flu-like illness.
• An outpatient surveillance category that shows the percentage of patients visiting a health care provider’s office for flu-like illness.
• Data from the COVID-19 dashboard has been moved to the respiratory illness dashboard and is now under the “COVID-19” category.

Respiratory illness season FAQs – This resource provides information about flu, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines. Select the “Vaccine Information FAQs” button on the Respiratory Illness Season page.