BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has new information on how respiratory illnesses are impacting our state. HHS released a new report on North Dakota's respiratory illness rates this week. The report says that as of New Year's Eve, there has been a sharp increase in influenza across our state. The weekly case count is currently over 600. This has led to a moderate increase, or 24, weekly hospitalizations. The report also has noted increases in COVID-19 and RSV cases. There are currently 285 new cases of COVID-19 and 40 new cases of RSV each week. HHS is urging people to keep up with their vaccinations, as they say it's the public's best line of defense against serious health complications from respiratory illnesses.