The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates that the upcoming respiratory disease season will result in a similar level of peak hospitalizations as last year. The 2025-2026 outlook, released last week, is based on historical trends, expert assessments, and scenario modeling. While overall hospital demand is projected to remain within 20 percent of last season’s peak, the CDC cautioned that the exact timing and severity of potential disease waves remain uncertain. Models project combined respiratory illness hospitalizations from COVID, influenza, and RSV will likely peak in February at around 20 hospitalizations per 100,000 people, which corresponds with the figures seen in the last two seasons. Officials urged Iowans to get recommended vaccinations, as immunization uptake will significantly impact projections.
CDC: Fall, Winter Respiratory Season Likely To Mirror Recent Years
