Weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped to their lowest levels ever recorded since the start of the pandemic, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The most recent data shows 5,615 COVID hospitalizations, a significant decrease from the peak of the Omicron variant in early 2022, when there were over 150,000 weekly admissions.
Dr. John Brownstein, Chief Innovation Officer at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News medical contributor, commented on the decline, saying, "The significant drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths to these new lows is encouraging, indicating that our public health measures and vaccination efforts have been effective." Forecasts from the CDC suggest that hospital admissions will likely remain stable for the next four weeks.
Brownstein emphasized the importance of continued monitoring for new variants and maintaining protective health behaviors to prevent potential surges. He also mentioned that hospitals will no longer be required to report respiratory illness data, including COVID hospital admissions, at the end of April. Federal officials plan to use alternative data sources such as wastewater, laboratory tests, and emergency department data to stay informed about illness spread.
A CDC spokesperson highlighted the importance of having reporting systems in place before an active emergency, stating, "These data have significant and ongoing value for protecting patient health and safety, as well as public health."
Regarding vaccination, CDC data shows that approximately 22.6% of adults and 14% of children have received the updated COVID vaccine, which is designed to offer better protection against current subvariants. Older adults over 65 are recommended to receive an additional updated COVID vaccine this spring due to their higher risk of severe disease.
The Food and Drug Administration's independent panel of advisors is scheduled to meet in mid-March to discuss the strains to be included in the next formulation of COVID vaccines, as the virus has evolved since the beginning of the pandemic.
COVID deaths have also been on a steady decline this year, reaching new lows. The most recent available data shows an estimated 231 deaths from COVID. However, death data are delayed and may be incomplete. At the peak of the pandemic, over 25,000 Americans were dying weekly from the virus as the Delta variant spread across the country.
"It's crucial that we maintain robust surveillance and data collection to quickly respond to any changes in the virus's behavior," Brownstein emphasized.