As COVID-19 hospitalizations rise in the United States this summer, concerns emerge about the potential impact on healthcare systems and public health strategies. The learningenglishvoanews Source.
- COVID-19 hospital admissions have risen by 12% since early July, though current figures remain significantly lower than previous peaks.
- In the absence of comprehensive data, rising virus levels in wastewater are being monitored, with concentrations still relatively low compared to last summer.
- Updated vaccines featuring the Omicron variant are expected in the autumn, offering a potential tool to manage the evolving COVID-19 landscape.
Raises Concerns
The United States has witnessed an uptick in COVID-19 hospital admissions since early July, a trend similar to past three summers. Despite the increase, the current numbers remain significantly lower than the previous peaks. With a new vaccine still months away, experts express worries about the potential impact of this rise in hospitalizations.
Examining the Numbers
For the week ending July 29, COVID-19 hospital admissions stood at 9,056—a 12% increase from the previous week. However, this figure is notably lower than the highs observed earlier, such as the 44,000 weekly hospital admissions in January and the 150,000 during the spread of the Omicron subvariant in January 2022.
Tracking the Virus Amid Data Gaps
The lack of comprehensive data has made it difficult to gauge the full extent of rising infections. The conclusion of the public health emergency in May led to changes in data reporting, as the CDC and many states ceased tracking positive test results. Despite this, a consistent weekly death toll of 500 to 600 individuals has been noted since early June, though historical patterns suggest a potential lag in deaths following hospitalizations.
Wastewater Surveillance and Vaccine Outlook
Health officials are closely monitoring the increasing levels of the COVID-19 virus in wastewater since late June, especially with the impending return of travelers and students to school. While higher levels are detected in the Northeast and South, experts emphasize that the current concentrations remain relatively low, about 2.5 times lower than the previous summer. However, experts assure that the situation does not resemble the alarming trends seen with Delta or Omicron variants. Genetic changes in the virus are not necessarily indicative of increased danger.
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Source-learningenglish.voanews.
