Respiratory Viruses (COVID-19, Influenza, RSV) Data and Reports 

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• Data Notes

  1. Hospitalization data are from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Hospitalization counts include all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or influenza during their stay. This does not necessarily mean they were hospitalized because of COVID-19 or influenza complications or that they experienced symptoms. Includes residents and non-residents hospitalized at San Diego County hospitals. Bars are the daily census count and the line is the daily average based on a 7-day average. 

  2. Death data are from the California Vital Records Business Intelligence System (VRBIS). These are COVID-associated deaths where COVID-19 or an equivalent term is indicated in the immediate cause of death, underlying cause of death, or significant conditions contributing to death fields in death certificate data. For the purposes of respiratory virus surveillance, fiscal year 2024-25 is defined as June 30, 2024 - June 28, 2025 (aligned to include full weeks). Fiscal year-to-date includes known deaths with death dates through the most recent Saturday. 4-week average and rate calculations have a 21-day lag due to delays in reporting. Bars are the weekly number of deaths and the line is the weekly average based on a 4-week average. 

  3. Tests include residents and non-residents who tested in San Diego County. COVID-19 tests include molecular tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), while influenza and RSV tests include molecular tests and rapid antigen detection tests. Graphs include tests performed by COSD Public Health Laboratory, hospital, and commercial laboratories and reported via Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) and line lists, and exclude invalid, indeterminate, and unsatisfactory results. Bars are the weekly total of tests performed and the line is the test positivity by week. Test positivity shown is for the most recent week. 

  4. Rates are calculated using 2022 population estimates from the San Diego Association of Governments. 

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• How to Use This Dashboard

  1. Use the filter labeled “View” at the top of the dashboard to view either Cases, Hospitalizations, or Deaths for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV. 

  2. A table comparing the counts of the most recent week to the previous week, by disease, is displayed at the top.

  3. Bar graphs showing the counts by week for each disease are below the table. Use the filter labeled “During”, above the graphs, to display a different season. 

  4. Click on the “View Rates” button to see the rates by week. Click on the “View Counts” button to return to the counts by week. When viewing rates, multiple seasons can be added to the same display. 

  5. Scroll below the trend graphs for demographic data. Demographic data are only available for cases and deaths and only displayed for the current season. Use the filter labeled “View” to select age group, race/ethnicity, or sex.

     Hover your mouse or finger over the dashboard elements to see a pop-up that displays more data and descriptions.

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• Data Notes

  Case data are from the County of San Diego’s communicable disease registry, WebCMR.

  • COVID-19, influenza, and RSV cases include cases with a reported positive molecular test (e.g., PCR) or positive rapid antigen detection test. Medical providers and laboratories report tests via fax or Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) to Public Health Services Epidemiology Unit.
  • Self-administered tests are not reported. Counts are influenced by testing patterns and are an underestimate of disease circulating in the community.
  • Cases are grouped into weeks by the earliest of onset, laboratory specimen collection, diagnosis, death, or report date.
  • Counts, especially for most recent weeks, may change as additional lab reports are received.

  Hospitalization data are from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). 

  • Hospitalization counts include patients admitted to an inpatient bed who had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or influenza at the time of admission. 
  • ·Includes residents and non-residents hospitalized at San Diego County hospitals.
  • COVID-19 reporting began in August 2020; influenza reporting began in November 2020.
  • The national reporting mandate expired on April 30, 2024. A new mandate goes into effect November 1, 2024. Data for the interim period are not available.
  • Hospitalizations are grouped into weeks by date of admission.

  Death data are from the California Vital Records Business Intelligence System (VRBIS) and from case investigation records. 

  • ·Deaths occurring in 2020-2022 are included based on review of death certificate data from VRBIS and case investigation records.
  • ·Beginning January 1, 2023 for COVID-19 and July 1, 2023 for influenza and RSV, deaths included are deaths where COVID-19, influenza, or RSV or an equivalent term is indicated in the immediate cause of death, underlying cause of death, or significant conditions contributing to death fields in death certificate data from VRBIS, without additional review. 
  • Deaths are grouped into weeks by date of death.
  • ·Death data are subject to reporting lags. Additional deaths will be added, especially for more recent weeks, as additional deaths are reported. 

  Population estimates used for computing rates are from the San Diego Association of Governments. Population estimates used for a single data year are based on population estimates of the same vintage (that is, the same reference year) when available. Age-adjusted death rates are calculated based on the 2000 United States standard population.

  Respiratory virus surveillance data are displayed by episode week starting with week 27 and ending with week 26 of the following year, which roughly corresponds to July through June.