The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for COVID-19 increased in six of 10 HHS surveillance regions the week ending July 25. However, outpatient visits for flu- or COVID-19-like illnesses decreased or remained stable in nine regions, according to the CDC's weekly COVIDView report.
Four updates:
1. Surveillance: Nationwide, the percentage of laboratory specimens testing positive for COVID-19 remained stable. This figure is decreasing in the Southeast and Southwest/West Coast after peaking in the previous two weeks.
2. Mortality: About 8.6 percent of deaths nationwide were attributed to flu, pneumonia or COVID-19 in the week ending July 25. 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 130.1 hospitalizations per 100,000 population.
4. Outpatient activity: Emergency department and outpatient visits for symptoms related to COVID-19 remained below baseline nationwide. The percentage of ED visits for COVID-19-like symptoms also decreased nationally for the second consecutive week.
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