COVID-19 Hospitalizations on the Rise in the U.S., CDC Reports
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States this summer. According to CDC data, there has been a 10% rise in hospitalizations of individuals with the virus, marking the sharpest increase since December 2022. In the week of July 15, over 7,100 COVID patients were admitted to hospitals, compared to 6,444 the previous week.
COVID-related emergency room visits have also seen a surge, accounting for 0.73% of visits as of July 21, up from 0.49% a month earlier. Dr. Brendan Jackson, the CDC’s COVID-19 incident manager in Atlanta, Georgia, stated that after months of steady declines, the indicators are now starting to rise again. He expressed concerns that this could be the beginning of a late summer wave.
The Southeast region of the U.S. has experienced the most significant spikes in hospitalizations, according to Dr. Jackson. Early indicators of COVID-19 activity, such as emergency department visits, test positivity, and wastewater levels, have preceded the recent increase in hospitalizations.
However, despite the uptick in hospitalizations, a CDC spokesperson assured that COVID transmission rates remain at “near-historic lows” in the country. Additionally, COVID deaths continue to decline, with the current mortality rate being the lowest since the CDC began tracking the virus.
Amidst the surge in summer cases, the CDC does not plan to recommend a return to masking, according to Dr. Jackson. He highlighted that the emergence of “mutagenic” subvariants in Asia is a more significant cause for concern.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, expressed skepticism regarding a summer surge. He emphasized that with the existing immunity from prior infection and vaccination, as well as the majority of infections remaining mild and hospitalizations only slightly increasing, the current situation does not indicate another surge.
However, Dr. Siegel noted the importance of addressing the emerging “mutagenic” subvariants in Asia. He stated that he is likely to recommend the new XBB subvariant booster in the fall, particularly for those in high-risk groups who have not recently been infected or vaccinated.
As the situation continues to evolve, health experts underscore the importance of vigilance and adherence to public health measures to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Please note that the information in this article is based on sources cited and may be subject to change as new information becomes available.