In a trend documented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. has witnessed a steady uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations. During the seven days concluding on August 19, approximately 15,000 reported hospitalizations related to COVID-19 were recorded. While this figure is notably lower than previous pandemic peaks, it reflects a 19% rise compared to the preceding week. This ongoing increase began towards the end of June, after hospitalizations hit a recent weekly low of around 6,300.

When assessed in relation to the population, the latest count translates to 4.5 individuals per 100,000 being admitted to hospitals due to COVID-19. In terms of states, Hawaii and Florida have recorded the highest rates of new COVID-19 hospitalizations, at 9.8 and 9.7 per 100,000 respectively – surpassing the national average by more than twofold. Following closely are Louisiana (6.6), Alabama (6.5), and Mississippi (6.5) with the next highest rates.

Regarding patients visiting emergency departments, 1.9% received a COVID-19 diagnosis across the nation. Hawaii, along with southeastern states Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana, saw proportions exceeding 3%.

The CDC categorized seven counties as having a "high" level of COVID-19 hospital admissions, witnessing rates of 20 per 100,000 or above. Notably, multiple counties within the same Health Service Area (HSA) share the same admission rates in the data.

Among the counties with the highest COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100,000 individuals were:

Lamar County, Alabama - 26.4

Clay County, Mississippi - 26.4

Lowndes County, Mississippi - 26.4

Noxubee County, Mississippi - 26.4

Fisher County, Texas - 25.8

Mitchell County, Texas - 25.8

Nolan County, Texas - 25.8

Jefferson County, Georgia - 19.6

Washington County, Georgia - 19.6

Claiborne Parish, Louisiana - 19.1

As hospitalization rates are calculated per 100,000 individuals, even a relatively low number of hospitalizations in a small community can lead to higher rates. Other metrics, such as COVID-19 case rates, hospital admissions, and the proportion of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, can provide additional insights into the current state of the pandemic.

Since spring 2022, after the U.S. surpassed 1 million cumulative COVID-19-related deaths, over 138,000 more fatalities have been linked to the disease based on provisional CDC data. Although the recent tallies have decreased from the peak observed in January – which saw around 3,900 deaths in a week – they indicate ongoing COVID-19-related fatalities. Maryland and Florida reported 3.4% of total deaths attributed to COVID-19 during the week ending August 19, twice the national percentage.

Aiden Parkers

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