As respiratory illness season begins to ramp up, nursing facilities are reminded to remain diligent in their infection control practices to limit the spread of respiratory illness to residents and staff. Nursing facilities must comply with the DPH’s guidance on Organizational Policies and Procedures for Mitigating Respiratory Illness and continue to identify and monitor respiratory illness metrics to indicate when there are increased levels which may necessitate implementing additional infection control measures.
The DPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard provides information on respiratory illness (COVID-19, influenza and RSV) cases including emergency room visits and hospitalizations. As of December 27, 2025, cases of RSV and COVID-19 are very low and cases of influenza have increased significantly and are very high. 20.5% of all ED visits are due to a respiratory illness with 1.1% for COVID-19, 9.6% for influenza, and 0.4% for RSV. 23.7% of hospital admissions are due to respiratory illness including 1.7% for COVID-19, 9% for influenza, and 0.4% for RSV. With increased levels of respiratory virus activity in the community, especially influenza, nursing facilities should consider implementing additional prevention measures.
DPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard – ED Visits
DPH Respiratory Illness Dashboard – Hospital Admissions
MWRA COVID-19 Wastewater Tracking
An additional metric is the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Wastewater COVID-19 Tracking which measures the SARS-CoV2 levels. The data as of December 29, 2025, is found in the table below.
The CDC also provides an acute respiratory illness metric which is a comprehensive measurement of respiratory viruses (COVID-19, flu, RSV) and other respiratory infections. The metric can be found at:. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Respiratory Illness Data Channel.
Mass Senior Care strongly encourages members to protect our vulnerable residents and reduce the risk of hospitalization and prolonged illness by continuing to vaccinate staff and residents.