New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that 12 U.S. states have experienced either moderate or substantial increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the most recent recorded week. While the nation saw a 4.3 percent overall decline in hospital admissions related to the virus for the week ending September 16, there were localized variations.
The week in question witnessed nearly 19,700 new COVID-19 hospital admissions across the United States, marking a decline from the previous week. However, five states reported an increase of over 20 percent in hospitalizations, while other states reported decreases. It is worth noting that hospitalizations remain significantly lower than the peak recorded in January 2021 when over 150,600 patients were hospitalized.
The states experiencing notable rises in COVID-19 hospitalizations include Montana and Wisconsin, with increases nearing 30 percent. New Hampshire recorded the most significant surge at 52 percent, followed by North Dakota, Nebraska, and Maine. States reporting a 10 to 20 percent increase in hospitalizations included Washington state, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Iowa, and Ohio.
The variations in hospitalizations may be attributed to factors such as population size and the overall number of admissions. For instance, New Hampshire recorded 76 hospitalizations during the week, a relatively low number compared to its population. Nationally, there was only a 0.1 percent increase in patients occupying intensive care unit beds due to COVID-19, which typically indicates severe cases requiring ventilation.
While COVID-19-related deaths have been on the rise since July, provisional data suggests that the number of fatalities is now decreasing. These figures remain considerably lower than the peak in January 2021 when nearly 26,000 weekly deaths were recorded. The CDC has reported that the new variants EG.5 and BA.2.86 do not appear to be driving substantial increases in infections or hospitalizations in the United States. Existing antibodies are believed to provide immunity against these strains.
Amid the evolving situation, some private institutions, hospitals, and colleges have reinstated mask-wearing requirements for staff and visitors to curb the spread of the virus. The CDC continues to monitor and provide updates on COVID-19 trends and variants.