New York City, USA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is shifting its focus from tracking COVID-19 cases to monitoring hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccination rates. As the pandemic evolves, the CDC has adapted its data collection methods to provide a more comprehensive overview of the virus’s impact in the United States.
Instead of reporting daily COVID case counts, the CDC is now emphasizing trends in hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus. By closely monitoring these metrics, the CDC can gauge the level of COVID activity across different states, including individual counties. This shift in tracking method allows for a more nuanced understanding of how the virus is affecting different communities.
In the most recent week, the CDC disclosed a total of 18,977 new hospital admissions connected to COVID in the U.S., marking a 5.7% decrease from the previous week. To further explore COVID data at a local level, individuals can utilize the CDC’s County Check tool for more detailed information about COVID rates in their communities.
Regarding COVID death rates, the CDC has reported 1,180,042 deaths in the U.S. since tracking began in January 2020. However, the CDC has transitioned to showcasing provisional COVID deaths reported to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) National Vital Statistics Surveillance (NVSS). As of February 23, 2024, the CDC documented an 11.1% decrease in deaths attributed to COVID in the most recent week.
In addition to tracking hospitalizations and deaths, the CDC is also providing estimates on COVID vaccination rates in the U.S. This includes data on how many people have received COVID vaccines, including booster doses. Public health departments at the state level may also be tracking and reporting COVID vaccination rates to supplement the CDC’s data.
The ongoing shifts in the CDC’s data tracking methods reflect the evolving nature of the pandemic and the need for more targeted approaches to understanding and combating COVID-19. By emphasizing key metrics like hospitalizations, deaths, and vaccination rates, the CDC aims to provide a more comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the virus’s impact across the United States.