Weekly Syndromic Surveillance 

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health currently provides weekly reports on respiratory illnesses in our community through the use of Syndromic Surveillance during flu season, from September to May. On this page you will find some simple metrics that can give you an idea of the current situation in Douglas County and empower you to make the best decisions for you and your family.

What is Syndromic Surveillance?

It is a public health monitoring tool that uses real-time data on symptoms and diagnoses from multiple sources, such as emergency departments, wastewater, healthcare clinics, and poison control centers. The information is used to identify and track potential outbreaks of infectious diseases, foodborne illnesses, and other public health emergencies. To view the up-to-date wastewater data visit http://bit.ly/4niF8mr. 

To help prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses you should:

  • Stay up-to-date on vaccines. For more information about what vaccines LDCPH provides, please visit our Clinic page. 
  • Wear a mask in crowded indoor areas and cover your cough and sneeze. 
  • Prioritize good air ventilation and frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water.
  • Isolate if you are symptomatic and stay home if you are sick.
  • Test after exposure for both COVID-19 and Flu. 
Washing hands image for WSS page
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As part of our ongoing monitoring, we track Douglas County, KS emergency department (ED) visits and wastewater levels to better understand how respiratory illnesses are spreading in our community. These tools give us an early look at local trends for COVID, flu, and RSV so we can share timely updates and guidance.
Flu ED visits are currently at 4%, while COVID and RSV ED visits are each at 1%. In Lawrence, KS, COVID wastewater levels are now categorized as medium, while flu and RSV wastewater levels are high, indicating continued active community spread. Although ED visits remain relatively low, the high wastewater levels for flu and RSV indicate that these viruses are still widely circulating in the community. This suggests that many infections may be mild or not requiring hospital care, but transmission is ongoing. When wastewater levels remain elevated, it can increase the likelihood of exposure in everyday settings such as workplaces, schools, and gatherings, especially while we are still in peak respiratory season.
We encourage those eligible to stay up to date on COVID, flu, and RSV vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness. LDCPH has flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines available regardless of insurance status. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.
Additionally, please stay home when you're sick, wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and take extra precautions around those who are at higher risk.
We’ll continue monitoring trends and share updates as new data becomes available.

ED VISITS

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WASTEWATER

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Updated on 2/19/2026 at 1:12 pm.