Respiratory threat levelMassachusetts
Sample dataLow
Rising +10%
Low
1
FluRSVCOVID-19combined
Boston · Massachusetts
Low
1
Rising +10%
What's going around in Boston: flu, RSV & COVID-19
The respiratory picture for Boston, from public-domain CDC surveillance — honestly labeled: the combined index is published at Massachusetts state level, refreshed weekly.
Massachusetts publishes weekly respiratory surveillance through the Department of Public Health (mass.gov/dph). Boston has something most metros don't: the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's wastewater tracking at the Deer Island treatment plant, a public, metro-scale viral signal that has run since 2020 and often moves ahead of case reporting. The state-level picture below is the combined flu, RSV and COVID-19 read; MWRA wastewater is the metro-scale complement.
Trends, not real-time counts
Surveillance data is reported with an inherent lag of roughly one to two weeks. FluTrack shows directional trends, not a real-time case count. For general information only — not medical advice.
By virus
How each respiratory virus is contributing across Massachusetts right now — the public data that covers Boston.
Influenza (Flu)
Minimal
0
Holding steady
COVID-19
Low
1
Holding steady
RSV
Minimal
0
Holding steady
What the data shows
ED visits for respiratory illness
Share of emergency-department visits (NSSP)3.4%
Share of emergency-department visits (NSSP)3.4%
Wastewater viral activity
CDC NWSS viral activity index (leading indicator)3.8
CDC NWSS viral activity index (leading indicator)3.8
Test positivity
Share of lab tests positive (NREVSS)10.9%
Share of lab tests positive (NREVSS)10.9%
Boston: common questions
What sickness is going around in Boston right now?
The combined flu, RSV and COVID-19 picture shown at the top of this page comes from Massachusetts-level CDC surveillance — the most complete public read that covers Boston with one consistent method. It is a directional weekly trend, not a real-time case count. For metro-specific detail, the official sources listed above go deeper than the combined index.
Is this data specific to Boston itself?
No — and we label that plainly. The CDC publishes no combined metro-level respiratory index, so the threat level here is the Massachusetts state reading. Metro-scale public signals that do exist, like wastewater surveillance, are linked in the introduction above.
Where does the data come from?
From the CDC's public-domain surveillance systems — emergency-department visits (NSSP), wastewater viral activity (NWSS) and laboratory test positivity (NREVSS). See our methodology and data sources.
How often is it updated?
Weekly. CDC surveillance systems publish on Fridays, and reported data typically reflects illness from one to two weeks earlier — so FluTrack emphasizes the trend rather than a single day's number.
Is this medical advice?
No. FluTrack is an independent data-visualization utility and is not affiliated with the CDC. The information here is general and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For guidance about your health, consult a qualified provider.
Freeone email a week at most
Get a surge alert for your state
We'll email you when CDC data shows respiratory activity climbing where you live — so a rise never catches you off guard. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy. FluTrack is an independent utility and is not affiliated with the CDC. For general information only — not medical advice.