Four updates:
1. Hospitalizations: The cumulative hospitalization rate for all age groups increased to 278.7 per 100,000 population in the week ending Dec. 5.
2. Surveillance: The national percentage of positive COVID-19 specimens was 13.3 percent in the week ending Dec. 5, up from 12.1 percent a week prior. Test positivity increased among all age groups and in every HHS surveillance region except the Central region, where it decreased.
3. Mortality: About 14.3 percent of deaths nationwide were attributed to flu, pneumonia or COVID-19 in the week ending Dec. 5. This figure marks a decline from the week prior but is still above the epidemic threshold of 6.3 percent.
4. Outpatient activity: The overall percentage of outpatient or emergency department visits have increased nationwide since mid-September, with the largest jump seen in visits for COVID-19-like symptoms. Regionally, six regions saw a decrease in visits for flu- or COVID-19-like symptoms for the week ending Dec. 5, and three regions reported stable visit levels. The New Jersey/New York/Puerto Rico region reported an increase in visits for both indicators.
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