Larimer County Respiratory Disease Update - 01/21/2026

Respiratory illness activity in Larimer County remains very low this week, with only one influenza hospitalization and no new COVID-19 or RSV hospitalizations reported for the week ending January 18. Emergency department visits for flu-like illness, COVID-19 and RSV are all holding at around or below 1% of total visits, suggesting limited severe spread in the community right now.

So far this 2025–26 season, influenza has driven the most hospitalizations overall, especially among adults 65 and older, while COVID-19 and RSV hospitalizations have also primarily affected seniors and young children. Loveland continues to see the highest flu hospitalization rate in the county, and Fort Collins has logged the most RSV and COVID-19 hospitalizations by location over the course of the season.

Recent data highlights:

• This week’s hospitalizations: 1 influenza case, 0 COVID-19 cases, 0 RSV cases (week ending January 18, week 17 of the season).
• Total flu hospitalizations this season: 177; COVID-19: 30; RSV: 10.
• Emergency department visits (January 21): 1.1% for flu-like illness, 0.65% for COVID-19, 0.33% for RSV.
• Among seniors (65+) in January so far: 20 influenza hospitalizations, 5 COVID-19 hospitalizations, 0 RSV hospitalizations.
• Loveland residents account for 44% of all flu hospitalizations this season (154 cases), despite being about 23% of the county’s population.

All data is provided by the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment