Examining recent data on COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States reveals a promising downward trend following the winter peak. Despite overall decreases, specific regions, such as Alabama and Georgia, continue to experience elevated rates of new admissions. The impact of the omicron subvariant JN.1 remains prevalent, yet national figures indicate a low rate of new hospitalizations relative to population size. However, disparities persist, with certain counties classified as “high” hotspots for COVID-19 hospitalizations. While the decline in hospitalizations is encouraging, the nation grapples with ongoing deaths attributed to the virus, emphasizing the importance of sustained public health measures and vigilance.
The United States has been witnessing a gradual decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, signaling a positive shift following the peak of winter infections. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a decrease in new COVID-19 hospital admissions across the nation. Over the seven days leading up to February 17, approximately 19,000 new hospitalizations related to COVID-19 were recorded, marking a decrease of about 6% compared to the previous week. This downward trend is a welcome relief after the country experienced its highest weekly total of new COVID-19 hospitalizations since approximately a year ago, with nearly 35,000 hospitalizations during the week ending January 6.
Analyzing COVID-19 Hospitalization Trends Across the U.S.
The decline in hospitalizations is significant when compared to the previous winter, where the numbers soared to about 44,500. The recent decrease is attributed to the prevalence of the omicron subvariant JN.1, which CDC estimates indicate has been the dominant strain in recent weeks. Despite this positive trajectory, it’s essential to note that relative to population, there were still 5.72 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people for the week ending February 17, categorized as a “low” rate by the CDC. All states reported a “low” level of new COVID-19 hospitalizations during that week.
However, specific states stand out with higher rates of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per capita. Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Hawaii are among the states with the highest rates. Alabama experienced the highest percentage increase in its rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations compared to the previous week, while Nebraska saw the most substantial decrease.
Data also indicates a decline in emergency department visits related to COVID-19, with less than 2% of visits nationally involving a COVID-19 diagnosis. South Carolina had the highest rate above the national average, followed by Louisiana and North Carolina. Despite these positive trends, 25 counties in the United States, including areas like the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, were classified by the CDC as having a “high” level of new COVID-19 hospital admissions, with rates exceeding 20 per 100,000 people.
Colquitt County in Georgia reported the highest rate of new COVID-19 hospital admissions, followed by counties in Kansas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Nebraska, and South Dakota. It’s noteworthy that hospitalization rates are calculated per 100,000 people, which can result in relatively high rates for smaller communities, even with a small number of hospitalizations.
In addition to hospitalization rates, other indicators like wastewater surveillance provide insights into the current state of COVID-19. Twelve states were classified as having a “very high” activity level based on wastewater data, although some classifications were based on data from a single wastewater site. Notably, North Dakota did not receive a classification due to insufficient data.
Despite the decline in hospitalizations, the United States continues to grapple with COVID-19-related deaths. Since surpassing 1 million cumulative deaths in connection with COVID-19 in the spring of 2022, approximately 180,000 additional deaths have been reported, according to provisional data from the CDC. Though lower than the peak seen in early 2021, recent data indicates that over 1,000 people continue to die each week due to COVID-19.
During the week ending February 17, Oklahoma and Kentucky reported nearly 5% of their total deaths attributed to COVID-19, followed by Mississippi and Connecticut. Several other states also saw higher percentages of COVID-19-related deaths compared to the national average.
Overall, the latest data on COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States paints a nuanced picture of the pandemic’s trajectory. While overall trends indicate a decline in new admissions, localized hotspots persist, particularly in states like Alabama and Georgia. These disparities underscore the need for targeted interventions and resources to support communities facing heightened transmission rates. Additionally, the ongoing toll of COVID-19-related deaths serves as a sobering reminder of the virus’s enduring impact. Moving forward, continued surveillance, vaccination efforts, and adherence to public health guidelines remain essential in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and safeguarding public health nationwide.
