COVID-19 Infections, ED Visits, and Hospitalizations Climbing Again

Recently, the CDC reported increased rates of COVID-19 emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations in the U.S.¹ Epic Research publishes data from Cosmos on respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) through our Respiratory Illnesses Data Tracker. COVID-19 infections, ED visits, and hospitalizations have been increasing since early July 2023, as shown in Figure 1. Infections, ED visits, and hospitalizations for RSV and influenza remain low. 

Figure 1

Respiratory Illness Infections, Positivity, ED Visits, and Hospitalizations

COVID-19 positivity has exceeded its peak of 13.6% of tests in November 2022 and is approaching the peak of 18.1% positivity that occurred in July 2022, as shown in Figure 2. These previous instances of increased positivity for COVID-19 tests were closely followed by similar peaks in COVID-19 ED visits and hospitalizations. Influenza positivity remains at less than 1%, while RSV positivity has started to rise slightly in July and early August 2023.  

Figure 2

Respiratory Illness Positivity Rates

Check our Respiratory Illness Data Tracker regularly for the latest on how COVID-19, RSV, and influenza are trending, especially as we start to approach the typical flu season.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID Data Tracker. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home. Accessed August 25, 2023.