Four updates:
1. Surveillance: The national percentage of positive COVID-19 specimens was 12.1 percent in the week ending Dec. 19, down from 12.9 percent a week prior. Test positivity decreased among all age groups and in eight HHS surveillance regions. This figure increased in the South Central and South West/West Coast regions.
2. Outpatient activity: The overall percentage of outpatient or emergency department visits for flu- or COVID-19-like symptoms remained stable or fell slightly nationwide. Regionally, nine regions reported a similar trend in outpatient activity in the week ending Dec. 19, while the New Jersey/New York/Puerto Rico region reported an increase in visits.
3. Hospitalizations: The cumulative hospitalization rate for all age groups was 313.3 per 100,000 population in the week ending Dec. 19.
4. Mortality: About 13 percent of deaths nationwide were attributed to flu, pneumonia or COVID-19 in the week ending Dec. 19. This figure marks a decline from the week prior but is still above the epidemic threshold of 6.7 percent.
More articles on public health:
COVID-19 hospitalizations by state: Dec. 30
5 things we still don’t know about COVID-19
23 states where COVID-19 is spreading fastest, slowest: Dec. 30
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.
