Four updates:
1. Surveillance: Nationwide, the percentage of laboratory specimens testing positive for COVID-19 rose for the fourth consecutive week. Only three of 10 HHS surveillance regions saw the percentage of positive specimens decrease or remain stable: New England, Mid-Atlantic and Mountain regions.
2. Mortality: About 5.9 percent of deaths nationwide were attributed to flu, pneumonia or COVID-19 in the week ending June 27, down from 9 percent a week prior. This percentage marked the 10th week of decline.
3. Hospitalizations: The cumulative hospitalization rate for all age groups increased to 102.5 hospitalizations per 100,000 population.
4. Outpatient activity: Emergency department and outpatient visits for symptoms related to COVID-19 remained below baseline nationwide. Seven regions saw an increase in visits for COVID-19-like symptoms, up from just three regions a week prior.
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