Four updates:
1. Surveillance: The percentage of laboratory specimens testing positive for COVID-19 decreased nationwide and in nine of 10 HHS surveillance regions.
2. Mortality: About 7.8 percent of deaths nationwide were attributed to flu, pneumonia or COVID-19 in the week ending Aug. 1. 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 137.6 hospitalizations per 100,000 population.
4. Outpatient activity: Emergency department and outpatient visits for symptoms related to COVID-19 or flu remained below baseline for the 16th week. However, flu-like activity is still higher than typical for this time of year. The percentage of ED visits for COVID-19-like symptoms also decreased nationally for the third straight week.
More articles on public health:
24 states where COVID-19 is spreading fastest, slowest: Aug. 10
California public health director abruptly resigns
Number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, state by state: Aug. 10
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