Four updates:
1. Surveillance: The Southeast, South Central and Central regions of the U.S. have the highest percentages of specimens testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, although the percentage is decreasing in these areas. The percentage of positive specimens increased slightly in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions.
2. Mortality: About 6.3 percent of deaths nationwide were attributed to flu, pneumonia or COVID-19 in the week ending Sept. 5. This figure marks a decline from the week prior but is still above the epidemic threshold.
3. Hospitalizations: The cumulative hospitalization rate for all age groups increased to 166.9 per 100,000 population in the week ending Sept. 5.
4. Outpatient activity: The percentage of ED visits for COVID-19-like symptoms decreased nationally for the eighth straight week and fell in all 10 regions compared to a week prior. The percentage of outpatient or ED visits for flu-like illness was also below baseline in every region except the Central region, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
More articles on public health:
COVID-19 patients twice as likely to report dining in restaurant, CDC study finds
24 states where COVID-19 is spreading fastest, slowest: Sept. 11
COVID-19 may have been in LA as early as December; virus deaths tied to air pollution — 4 updates
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
