The Coronavirus continues to surge in the U.S. as we enter the winter season.
Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that COVID-19 deaths are rising in certain regions ahead of the holiday season, according to new data.
The CDC reported an 8.6% increase in COVID-related hospitalizations and a 9% rise in deaths attributed to COVID for the week ending Nov. 11.
According to the data, Maryland and Colorado had the highest percentage of COVID-19 deaths during that week, as data showed.
The CDC also revealed that while positive COVID test results remained steady, emergency department visits for coronavirus increased by 7.1%.
Six states have reported high levels of new COVID-19 hospital admissions, according to the CDC’s data. However, the majority of the country experienced low levels of new COVID hospitalizations during the same period.
The Biden administration has announced that free COVID tests will be available for Americans who didn’t utilize the kits offered in September. These tests can be ordered online through covid.gov/tests and will be delivered for free by the U.S. Postal Service.
Updated COVID vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are now accessible, but vaccination rates are lower than desired, with disparities noted in uptake by race and ethnicity.
Only 13.4% of adults have received the updated vaccine since mid-September, according to the CDC, with about 18% stating their intention to get vaccinated. The highest vaccine uptake is among those 65 and older.
In addition to COVID, the CDC has observed an increase in RSV-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, noting that only about 14% of adults over 60 have received the RSV vaccine. This vaccine is recommended for adults age 60 and up who have certain risk factors.
