New York, NY – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shifted its focus from tracking COVID-19 cases to monitoring trends in hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus in the United States. As the public health emergency came to an end, the CDC ceased its case counting activities, leaving state public health departments responsible for providing up-to-date information on COVID cases within their jurisdictions.
While the CDC’s COVID Tracker no longer includes case counts, the agency continues to analyze data on COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths, as well as tracking vaccination rates across the country. This shift in focus allows the CDC to gauge the virus’s activity and impact in communities, providing valuable insights into the ongoing battle against COVID-19.
In the latest data released by the CDC, there were 18,977 new hospital admissions related to COVID in the U.S. in the past week, marking a 5.7% decrease from the previous week. These numbers highlight the evolving nature of the pandemic and the importance of monitoring hospitalizations as a key indicator of COVID spread and severity.
Additionally, the CDC is now reporting provisional COVID death rates to the National Center for Health Statistics, offering a comprehensive view of the impact of the virus on mortality rates in the country. As of the latest report on March 1, 2024, there was an 11.1% decrease in deaths attributed to COVID in the most recent week, underscoring the progress made in combatting the virus.
In terms of vaccination rates, the CDC provides estimates on the percentage of people in the U.S. who have received COVID vaccines, including booster doses. The agency’s data shows varying rates of vaccination among different population groups, with children, adults, and pregnant individuals each receiving different levels of vaccination coverage.
Overall, the CDC’s shift in tracking focus underscores the ongoing challenges and advancements in the fight against COVID-19. By monitoring hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccination rates, the agency continues to provide valuable insights into the impact of the virus and the effectiveness of public health measures in curbing its spread.