Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sheds light on the current state of COVID-19 in the United States. While the situation has improved significantly compared to the peak of the pandemic, there are still signs of concern.
The absolute increase in COVID-19 deaths nationwide has risen by a modest 0.2 percent in the most recent data available. Although this increase is relatively small, it underscores the ongoing impact of the virus in some areas of the country.
One of the more notable trends is the rise in hospitalizations due to COVID-19, which has increased by 8.6 percent. Hospitalization rates have been a critical metric for assessing the severity of the pandemic and the strain on healthcare systems. Currently, only 1.3 percent of U.S. counties, totaling 42 counties, are considered to have high levels of hospital admissions. This indicates that the majority of the country is currently experiencing minimal to low levels of COVID-19-related hospitalizations.
Since the official end of the public health emergency related to the pandemic, hospitalization rates have remained a key indicator of the state of COVID-19 in communities. About 86 percent of the country is currently categorized as having low hospital admission rates, reflecting a relatively stable situation in most areas.
However, the CDC’s Respiratory Disease Season Outlook, published last month, projected that the United States would likely see a level of hospitalizations similar to those experienced during the previous winter. While it remains to be seen whether hospitalizations will align precisely with these projections, it is anticipated that they will continue to be higher than pre-pandemic levels.
In terms of emergency department (ED) visits related to COVID-19, the majority of the country is experiencing minimal to low rates. Nevertheless, there has been a 7.1 percent increase in ED visits in which people are testing positive for the virus in the most recently recorded week.
New Mexico stands out as the only state reporting “substantial” rates of ED visits with patients testing positive. However, it’s important to note that data for some states, including Oklahoma, Missouri, and Minnesota, is not currently available, making it challenging to assess the full scope of the situation.
Overall, the data underscores the importance of monitoring COVID-19 metrics, even as vaccination efforts continue and the situation improves in many areas. While the rise in deaths and hospitalizations is relatively modest, it serves as a reminder that the virus continues to impact communities, and vigilance remains necessary to control its spread.