COVID-19, flu deaths increased in early October: 4 CDC findings

Nationally, the percentage of positive test specimens, outpatient visits and hospitalizations for COVID-19 has increased since September, according to the CDC's latest COVIDView report. 

Four updates:

1. Mortality: About 8.1 percent of deaths nationwide were attributed to flu, pneumonia or COVID-19 in the week ending Oct. 31. This figure increased in the first two weeks of October after remaining stable in the second half of September.

2. Surveillance: The national percentage of positive COVID-19 specimens increased to 8.2 percent in the week ending Oct. 31, up from 7.2 percent a week prior. Test positivity increased for all age groups and in every HHS surveillance region.

3. Outpatient activity: The national percentage of emergency room or outpatient visits for flu- or COVID-19-like symptoms increased in five regions: New England, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Central and Mountain. The Southeast saw a drop in visits for COVID-19-like symptoms, while the New Jersey/New York region reported a decrease in flu-related visits. Outpatient visits were stable for the South Central, Southwest/West Coast and Pacific Northwest regions for the week ending Oct. 31.

4. Hospitalizations: The cumulative hospitalization rate for all age groups increased to 207.1 per 100,000 population in the week ending Oct. 31, up from 199.8 per 100,000 the week prior. 

More articles on public health:

COVID-19 hospitalizations by state: Nov. 9
New preventive nasal spray blocks COVID-19 in ferrets, small study finds
Biden forms COVID-19 task force; Pfizer's vaccine 90% effective, early data shows — 6 updates

 

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