The incidence of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in the United States as children head back to school and the nation braces for the colder months ahead. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that for the week ending August 9, the COVID hospitalization rate reached 1.7 per 100,000 individuals, which is double the rate recorded two months prior. Furthermore, for the week ending August 23, the positivity rate among weekly tests was 11.2%, a significant increase from just 3.3% two months earlier. Despite these upticks, the current metrics are still considerably lower than those observed in previous years.
As it stands, the hospitalization rates for COVID-19 are approximately three times lower than they were during the same period last year. Additionally, the percentage of weekly tests returning positive results is about half of what it was last year. Over the past two months, roughly 200 Americans have succumbed to COVID each week, according to the latest CDC data.
There has been some uncertainty regarding who is eligible to receive a COVID vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated versions of the vaccine for individuals over 65 and younger Americans who are at high risk for severe disease. However, federal health officials have clarified that anyone wishing to receive the vaccine can do so. The CDC indicates that test positivity rates have surged above 10% in many regions of the southwest and western United States as children return to classrooms.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, shared insights with ABC News, stating, "When the dust settles, I expect it to not be as bad as last year … but that still means that some people are getting sick." He noted that while fewer individuals are being hospitalized proportionately, the increase in cases can be attributed to typical factors such as the passage of time since many people last contracted COVID and the emergence of new variants.
As of the week ending August 30, the XFG variant, an offshoot of the omicron strain, has become the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for approximately 78% of new COVID cases. Other omicron offshoots, such as NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1, comprise 14% and 3% of new cases, respectively, according to CDC statistics. Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, explained that the currently circulating variants are closely related, sharing characteristics that make them relatively contagious but not significantly more transmissible than previous strains.
Dr. Schaffner expressed optimism regarding the upcoming vaccine formulations, stating, "Fortunately, the vaccines that will become available this fall … should provide reasonable protection against serious disease caused by these variants." Pfizer-BioNTech has announced its 2025-2026 COVID vaccine will target the LP.8.1 sublineage in line with FDA recommendations to align with circulating strains.
However, the rollout of COVID vaccinations in the U.S. remains uncertain. Recently, CVS outlined that vaccination availability will vary by state due to regulatory frameworks. In 34 states, residents can receive the COVID vaccine at CVS pharmacies, while in 13 states and Washington, D.C., vaccinations are available with a prescription based on age. Notably, in three states—Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Mexico—the COVID vaccine is currently not offered.
Dr. Chin-Hong raised alarms over declining vaccination rates as the nation approaches the respiratory virus season in fall and winter. He noted that reduced vaccination rates, combined with structural barriers imposed by the federal government, could lead to increased hospitalizations and deaths that could have been prevented. He emphasized the importance of a straightforward vaccination process to mitigate these risks.
Dr. Schaffner strongly advises those eligible for the COVID vaccine to get vaccinated, alongside receiving the annual influenza vaccine. He also recommends that individuals with risk factors for severe disease exercise caution, such as wearing masks in crowded indoor environments and considering social distancing measures. "You can get out your mask and put that on when you're going indoors in crowded environments," he advised. "And if you're really concerned, as I like to say, do some social distancing. Stream the movie rather than going to the movie."
As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, staying informed and proactive in health measures remains crucial for the safety of all.
