Public Health

Flu activity continues to rise in most of the U.S., with the highest flu test positivity levels seen in Central and South-Central states, according to the CDC's March 25 FluView report. 

The number of COVID-19 vaccines administered daily fell by more than 25 percent last week amid the omicron subvariant's growing prevalence in the U.S., according to the CDC's COVID-19 data tracker weekly review published March 25.

COVID-19 deaths are falling nationwide, but eight states are still seeing higher daily death averages than recorded two weeks ago. 

COVID-19 cases are expected to increase nationwide over the next two weeks as the omicron subvariant BA.2 gains prevalence, modeling from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic shows.

Here are nine COVID-19-related research findings covered by Becker's Hospital Review since Feb. 25:

The White House may authorize a second COVID-19 booster dose for people 65 and older within a few weeks, four sources familiar with the matter told Politico. 

The CDC is closely monitoring a lethal strain of bird flu that has been identified in 17 states since February, NBC News reported March 23.

While multiple countries have confirmed cases of a coronavirus recombinant consisting of parts of both omicron and delta, some scientists have said the common nickname "deltacron" may be misleading.

The omicron subvariant BA.2 accounts for more than one-third of COVID-19 cases nationwide and more than half of cases in the Northeast, according to the latest variant proportion estimates from the CDC.

U.S. officials are closely monitoring COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the United Kingdom — which have continued to rise over the last few weeks — and are considering what it could mean for the U.S.