Here we go again: COVID-19 hospital admissions have inched upward in the United States since early July in a small-scale echo of the three previous summers.
With an updated vaccine still months away, this summer bump in new hospitalizations might be concerning, but the number of patients is far lower than before. A look at what we know:
HOW BAD IS THE SPIKE?
For the week ending July 29, COVID-19 hospital admissions were at 9,056. That's an increase of about 12% from the previous week.
But it's a far cry from past peaks, like the 44,000 weekly hospital admissions in early January, the nearly 45,000 in late July 2022, or the 150,000 admissions during the omicron surge of January 2022.
“It is ticking up a little bit, but it’s not something that we need to raise any alarm bells over,” said Dr. David Dowdy, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
It’s likely that infections are rising too, but the data is scant. Federal authorities ended the public health emergency in May, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and many states no longer track the number of positive test results.
WHAT ABOUT DEATHS?
Since early June, about 500 to 600 people have died each week. The number of deaths appears to be stable this summer, although past increases in deaths have lagged behind hospitalizations.
HOW ARE WE TRACKING THE VIRUS?
The amount of the COVID-19 virus in sewage water has been rising since late June across the nation. In the coming weeks, health officials say they'll keep a close eye on wastewater levels as people return from summer travel and students go back to school.
Higher levels of COVID-19 in wastewater concentrations are being found in the Northeast and South, said Cristin Young, an epidemiologist at Biobot Analytics, the CDC's wastewater surveillance contractor.
“It’s important to remember right now the concentrations are still fairly low,” Young said, adding it's about 2.5 times lower than last summer.
And while one version of omicron — EG.5 — is appearing more frequently, no particular variant of the virus is dominant. The variant has been dubbed “eris” but it’s an unofficial nickname and scientists aren’t using it.
“There are a couple that we’re watching, but we’re not seeing anything like delta or omicron,” Young said, referencing variants that fueled previous surges.
And mutations in the virus don't necessarily make it more dangerous.
“Just because we have a new subvariant doesn’t mean that we are destined to have an increase in bad outcomes," Dowdy said.
WHEN IS THE NEW VACCINE COMING?
This fall, officials expect to see updated COVID-19 vaccines that contain one version of the omicron strain, called XBB.1.5. It’s an important change from today’s combination shots, which mix the original coronavirus strain with last year’s most common omicron variants.
It's not clear exactly when people can start rolling up their sleeves for what officials hope is an annual fall COVID-19 shot. Pfizer, Moderna and smaller manufacturer Novavax all are brewing doses of the XBB update but the Food and Drug Administration will have to sign off on each, and the CDC must then issue recommendations for their use.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, the new CDC director, said she expects people will get their COVID-19 shots where they get their flu shots — at pharmacies and at work — rather than at dedicated locations that were set up early in the pandemic as part of the emergency response. “This is going to be our first fall and winter season coming out of the public health emergency, and I think we are all recognizing that we are living with COVID, flu, and RSV," Cohen told The Associated Press last week. “But the good news is we have more tools than ever before.”
AP Medical Writers Lauran Neergaard and Mike Stobbe contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
55 Comments
falseflagsteve
I’d advise not to take unless elderly or with an already serious health condition or very obese, which, granted is a lot of people in America.
2020hindsights
falseflagsteve
Are you a doctor?
falseflagsteve
2020
No, are you?
check the data about hospitalisations and deaths from Covid. Young people are more likely to be hospitalised from side effects from the vaccine than from Covid.
Hope that helps.
Blacklabel
It’s non coincidentally, election season in the USA.
Blacklabel
Non coincidentally with 30%, 40% and 26% YTD decreases in stock price this year.
wonder if expert stock trader Pelosi is buying any in preparation for the big run up?
falseflagsteve
Blacklabel
Would have sold stock already for a huge profit like Gates (500 million profit). If they somehow hear in advance or use their psychic abilities and learn that there will be another scare causing a panic,more stock will be purchased. Same old story again and again.
Bob Fosse
How many of the other many hundreds of news stories reported today are also part of this conspiracy?
Is it a deep state typhoon?
Sanjinosebleed
So the old ones didn't work so what makes people think the new one will! Side effects from the mRNA vaccines are worse than COVID!
falseflagsteve
Sanjin
But they stop transmission! ooops!
Sh1mon M4sada
meh...semantics, doesn't deal with patient zero named, lab leak real, AND recurring infection in community with low vaccinations. I've had 5 shots so far, still walking, still have not got covid.
They made it in a lab, the gene sequence is well documented, there's no excuse for not protecting yourself or others with vaccination.
falseflagsteve
sh1mon
Had no vaccines, had Covid at least 5 times and had a great time during SOE, out all the time, unmasked of course.
The current vaccines offer little to no protection against new variants and don’t stop transmission.
Of course it’s most likely it came from a lab.
Strangerland
That's what the conspiracy theorists say.
Meanwhile everyone else not swayed by ideology says they are unsure whether it came from a lab or not.
Bob Fosse
You had Covid at least 5 times and were out all the time unmasked?
That’s ok, is it?
falseflagsteve
Bob
Yes, it’s ok, I feel great and In very good health, which proves I was correct about the media hype.
Yrral
False,take a vaccine to curve your aversion to porn
Yrral
False,have you seen a CT scan of your lung,it will make you think twice,as your lung are eaten up by COVID Google COVID Lung Damage
Bob Fosse
And when you knowingly had covid ‘at least 5 times’ did you stay at home?
Yrral
False ask your for a CT scan of your lung ,you will be surprised COVID has done to them ,if you had it 5 times , COVID is chronic to the lungs just once
Sanjinosebleed
Sh1mon M4sadaToday 08:49 am JST
Ummm the vaccine doesn't stop contagion or transmission so how are you protecting anyone...meh!
falseflagsteve
Yrral
Had a CT scan after my serious bike accident last December, was in great health thanks, apart from my injuries of course.
Anyway, thanks for your concern, since my accident slowed me down a lot I couldn’t workout like usual, back on the old routine and great results, no health issues.
JohnnyTheWad
Halfway to double digits!!! You can do it!!!
Sanjinosebleed
I like it how it is still the unvaccinated who are making it dangerous for the vaccinated argument....I mean if the vaccine is so effective why do the vaccinated care so much.......meh!
falseflagsteve
Bob
No I didn’t stay at home, I’m a busy person with things to do. Self employed with a new business and no government support of I had to stay home. Myself and my family come first which is the way it should be.
Norm
Incredible. So you actually went to the time and expense of getting tested 5 times? And never worried about infecting people with vulnerabilities?
餓死鬼
Rather beastly behaviour, I do say.
falseflagsteve
Norm
nope, only 4 times, BTW, I had NHS test kits sent to me by my family so I could see if I was infected. I still have loads if anybody wants them. No, I wasn’t worried, I a goi g about my daily life. People were masked up which ever 80% effective according to media at preventing Covid and vaxxed, initially stated at 95% effective. So if anyone was worried I’m sure they would have taken precautions. It’s not my job to protect others it’s the government’s. I had a job to do and a partner to support, I did my duty.
Bob Fosse
I quite agree. What a bounder of the first order.
Roy Sophveason
You literally, and proudly, did nothing.
wallace
falseflagsteve
so you had about 8 weeks of isolation from your family?
falseflagsteve
Roy
Yes I did. I went out and did my job, supported local businesses and travelled the country and supported tourist resorts in dire need of cash.
I didn’t hide indoors like a nut job afraid of something that was incredibly unlikely of causing me serious harm.
Yrral
I.know a woman that had long COVID and now have enlarged heart
Bob Fosse
You initially stated you had Covid ‘at least 5 times’ now it’s downgraded to ‘only 4 times’
I wouldn’t say you are in a position to criticize statistics.
Roy Sophveason
Exactly. When it comes to mitigating a public health crisis you literally, and proudly, did nothing.
falseflagsteve
Bob
i didn’t say that you silly sausage, I said 4 times confirmed by tests. The first time I assumed, that’s because I was in that Osaka hotspot in Umeda after a night out, as they called at the time where loads were infected.2 days after that I was sick for a few days.
Strangerland
Just like the anti-vaxxers!
Which of course your not one.
JohnnyTheWad
Reading comprehension is tough for some people Steve!!!!
wallace
ffs
you never isolated from your family when you had covid?
UChosePoorly
COVID-19 and pandemic precautions are both awful. Better to just stay neutral.
falseflagsteve
wallace
No I didn’t isolate, why would I do that? I was living just with my partner and we were together every day and going out. I must admit though when I had it was her 25 heras old birthday and we went out to dinner I felt a tad queer, but I’d didn’t want to ruin her day, so I had some vodka amd comes to get the old adrenaline going and it perked me up no end. We ended up having a lovely time.
falseflagsteve
Stranger
I’m not anti vaxxer, not my business what others do you see. I mind my own business, be nice if people could show the same respect to me..
falseflagsteve
Yamaneko
was replying to someone, that’s why I went into detail, you see.
Strangerland
Yeah , I said that:
I know you only think, do and say the same things as them, but you have been very clear you’re not one of them. I acknowledge you bro.
Roy Sophveason
And with that I'm fully convinced that you're pulling everyone's leg in these here comment sections. No singular person can be this multfariously stupid, racist, xenophobe, homophobe, transphobe and antisocial. I applaud your theatratical performance and your unwavering commitment to stay in character.
Bob Fosse
ffs. You are quite the cad and far more than a silly sausage.
At least we can all take solace in knowing you are just playing a role and nothing you post is actually true.
UChosePoorly
It’s hard for subtle trolls to stay subtle for long
CigarCowboy
Love the headline
“COVID-19 hospitalizations in U.S. are on the rise again, but not like before”
Talk about a play on words. Why write about it then if it’s not like before unless of course you need to push that fear porn.
Last I checked this has been downgraded to being like the flu. So if your so concerned continue getting your boosters or vaccines and if not then don’t.
Let’s look back at how the individuals constantly pushed the narrative over and over again and of course their narrative had to change countless times. Here’s a good video that shows the hypocrisy and untruths
https://rumble.com/v35niqk-liberals-refuse-to-believe-they-were-lied-to-about-covid.html
Bob Fosse
Quite. The rotten scallywags always go too far, you see.
UChosePoorly
typhoidsteve
Jimizo
Another one.
Yet again, the hysterical types are those terrified of Covid and those who see any article about it as spreading fear.
The latter are usually the most vocal.
’Liberals refuse to believe’
Yawn.
What next? Drag shows and grooming?
At least there hasn’t been any mix up with writing styles today.
CigarCowboy
“Another one.
Yet again, the hysterical types are those terrified of Covid and those who see any article about it as spreading fear.”
Nice try there, perfect timing too because the video you clearly didn’t watch is speaking about individuals like yourself. self delusional.
“Yawn”
Yeah typical behavior. Didn’t watch the video just read the headline and based your assumption. I’m not surprised by your arrogant statement.
The truth sure does suck especially when we have video evidence showing how ridiculous individuals like yourself acted these past few years.
2020hindsights
falseflagsteve
Thanks, but I think I'll take advice from the medically trained.
Jimizo
@CigarCowboy
The ‘fear porn’ line is so dull now. It’s been regurgitated too much.
It’s very rightwing North American podcast-ish.
The ‘liberals’ thing is getting boring. Not all live in a world of ‘libs v conservatives’ on every matter. I’m from a country ( the UK ) where we don’t think like this on every matter, particularly on matters to do with science.
You are a new poster here. Honestly mate, it’s been done to death.
Jimizo
I’d say it’s reasonably accurate.
Where are you from mate? The UK?