COVID-19 Hospitalizations in US Surge by 10%, Experts Warn of Fresh Wave

Washington: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning regarding the increasing number of Covid-19 hospitalizations in the US. According to data, hospitalizations have surged by 10%, marking the sharpest increase since December 2022. In the week of July 15, over 7,100 patients with Covid were hospitalized, up from 6,444 the previous week. Covid-related emergency room visits are also on the rise, accounting for 0.73% of visits as of July 21 compared to 0.49% a month prior.

Dr. Brendan Jackson, the CDC’s Covid incident manager, noted that after several months of steady declines, Covid-19 indicators have started to rise again. This could potentially signal the beginning of a late summer wave, particularly concerning for the Southeast region, where significant spikes have been observed.

While “mutagenic” subvariants are emerging in Asia, most people in the US need not be overly concerned at this point, as Covid rates are still at “near-historic lows.” Furthermore, overall infection-related deaths are declining and are currently at the lowest rate since the CDC began tracking.

Dr. Marc Siegel, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, acknowledged the ongoing summer surge but emphasized that the situation does not necessarily indicate another major outbreak. He mentioned the possibility of recommending the new XBB subvariant booster in the fall, especially for high-risk groups without recent infection or vaccination.

In light of the current situation, health experts advise continued vigilance and adherence to preventive measures. The CDC spokesperson, Kathleen Conley, pointed out that early indicators of Covid-19 activity preceded the recent increase in hospitalizations, underscoring the importance of monitoring data and responding proactively.

As the situation evolves, public health authorities will closely monitor Covid-19 trends and adapt strategies accordingly to mitigate the impact of the virus.