Hospitalization rates and cases of COVID-19 rose in November in US and Europe; CDC reports COVID-19 had a hospitalization rate of 4.36 per 100,000 people during the month, influenza had a hospitalization rate of 0.83 per 100,000 people

With the holiday season upon us and more time spent indoors in close proximity to others, the risk of respiratory virus infection increases.¹In November, COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates increased across the U.S. and the European Union (EU). ^2-4 Experts have reiterated that, despite COVID-19 fatigue, our best line of defense to protect communities is to get vaccinated with the latest vaccines.^5,6

Without vaccination, these rates may continue to rise, posing significant risks for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised.^1,5 In the U.S., COVID-19 cases are increasing in many states.² Preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of November 25, 2023, showed that COVID-19 led to more hospitalizations than influenza, with a hospitalization rate of 4.36 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.83 for influenza.⁷

As of November 26, 2023, in the EU, there was an overall increasing trend in COVID-19 cases.⁴Severity indicators such as hospital admission, intensive care unit admissions and death rates continued to increase due to COVID-19, especially in individuals aged 65 and older.⁴

These rising rates could be slowed if immunization rates increase. In the U.S. and EU, a significant proportion of the population has not received an updated COVID-19 vaccine, despite health authority recommendations.^6,9-11 This immunization season, people have options for vaccination, with two vaccine technologies available to protect against COVID-19: protein-based and mRNA vaccines.^6,8It is critical that we remain vigilant to help protect against COVID-19.

References:

1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Take Steps to Help You Stay Healthy During the Holidays. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/whats-new/stay-healthy-during-holidays.html [Accessed December 2023].
2. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trends in United States COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Deaths, Emergency Department (ED) Visits, and Test Positivity by Geographic Area [Data set]. In COVID Data Tracker. Available at: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklyhospitaladmissions_select_00 [Accessed December 2023].
3. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Weekly Viral Respiratory Illness Snapshot. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/snapshot.html [Accessed December 2023].
4. European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overview of respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA: Weekly overview (week 47, 2023). Available at: https://erviss.org/ [Accessed December 2023].
5. World Health Organization. COVID-19 advice for the public: Getting vaccinated. Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/advice [Accessed December 2023].
6. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#print [Accessed December 2023].
7. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Groups Most Impacted—Hospitalizations: Hospitalization Rates for Viral Respiratory Illness, by Age [Data Set]. In Respiratory Viruses Dashboard. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/most-impacted-hospitalizations.html [Accessed December 2023].
8. European Medicines Agency. COVID-19 medicines: Authorised COVID-19 vaccines. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/public-health-threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-19-medicines#authorised-covid-19-vaccines-section [Accessed December 2023].
9. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination Trends—Adults. In Respiratory Viruses Dashboard. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data-research/dashboard/vaccination-trends-adults.html [Accessed December 2023].
10. World Health Organization. COVID-19 Vaccination Insights Report - 27 November 2023. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/covid-19-vaccination-insights-report---27-november-2023 [Accessed December 2023].
11. World Health Organization. Vulnerable? Vaccinate. Protecting the unprotected from COVID-19 and influenza. Available at: https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/09-10-2023-vulnerable--vaccinate.-protecting-the-unprotected-from-covid-19-and-influenza [Accessed December 2023].