DPH is providing this new Respiratory Disease Watch report to make expanded surveillance data available to inform the public about the activity of respiratory diseases that commonly circulate together each fall.
Protect yourself from COVID-19, Flu and RSV
It is common to get sick from respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, Influenza (Flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), especially in the fall and winter. There are actions you can take to protect yourself and others. Learn about whether you’re more likely to get seriously ill, how to prevent these viruses, and if these viruses are spreading in your community.
Quick links to disease-specific information
What is the Respiratory Disease Watch (RDW) Report?
DPH compiles South Carolina data for a weekly surveillance report called the Respiratory Disease Watch report. This weekly report is shared each Wednesday and includes information about the following important respiratory diseases: COVID-19, Influenza (Flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Surveillance allows DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to see what impact these respiratory diseases are having on the health of individuals and communities.
NOTE: Beginning Aug. 28, 2024, DPH will no longer report respiratory disease outbreaks in schools, childcare centers and long-term care facilities as part of the weekly Respiratory Disease Watch.
While there was a period during which this data was helpful, it is no longer useful in assessing the level and severity of disease in the community. Case numbers are not fully reliable because of uneven reporting; sometimes, it is not easy to distinguish between one respiratory disease in some settings over another, and cases are not easily verifiable.
However, DPH will continue to work with schools, childcare and long-term care facilities to address respiratory disease outbreaks and reduce risk.
DPH will continue to provide information about respiratory disease emergency room visits across South Carolina for the public to use in assessing their personal risk. Emergency room visits are considered a more accurate indicator of disease severity.
DPH encourages everyone to observe good infection control practices year-round, like regular handwashing, staying home when sick and covering your cough. In addition, be sure to keep up to date on all vaccines to further reduce the risk of infection.