Public Health

The U.S. is reporting the highest level of COVID-19 hospitalizations since Sept. 2, according to COVID Tracking Project data cited by The Wall Street Journal. 

The percentage of specimens testing positive for COVID-19 continues to decrease nationwide, though five regions reported an increase in visits for flu- or COVID-19 symptoms in the week ending Oct. 3, according to the CDC's most recent COVIDView report. 

On Oct. 2, President Donald Trump announced that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19. At least 29 other people connected to the White House have tested positive, according to The New York Times and WBTV.

One million new COVID-19 infections were recorded worldwide in the last three days, the highest number of cases reported in such a short time period, reports The New York Times.

Four Montana hospitals reported that they do not have any inpatient beds available, according to data released Oct. 7 by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services. 

In 2016, pregnancy rates for women 24 or younger hit record lows, while in contrast, pregnancy rates among older individuals have been increasing since 1973, according to analysis from the New York City-based Guttmacher Institute. 

On Oct. 8, Illinois reported the highest daily total of new COVID-19 cases since mid-May as the state's positivity rate in testing also increased, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Twenty-five states saw rising COVID-19 cases in the last week, while only three recorded a decline, reports CNN. 

Salt Lake City-based University of Utah Hospital reached 95 percent capacity in its intensive care unit Oct. 8 amid a major COVID-19 surge in the state, reports The Salt Lake Tribune.

Arizona was able to stem the surge in COVID-19 cases this summer after implementing and enforcing statewide public health measures, including enforcing orders to wear face masks, a CDC report shows.