COVID Map Shows Hospitalizations Hotspots in US

COVID-19 hospitalizations have steadily declined since September in most parts of the U.S. However, some counties are still reporting high admission rates, with hospital admissions rising by more than 1,000 percent in some areas. Across the U.S., there were an estimated 16,186 new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the week to October 21 which equates to 4.88 admissions per 100,000 people, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While this has more than doubled since the spring and early summer, we are still seeing significantly lower admissions rates compared to last October, and just over a tenth of the peak admissions rates recorded in January 2022. In most U.S. counties, hospital admissions are below 10 per 100,000, which is classed by the CDC as a low rate of hospitalization. However, at least 33 counties have reported admissions of over 20 per 100,000 people, which the CDC considers to be a high rate of admissions.

The highest admissions rates were reported in Weston County, Wyoming, where 57.7 people per 100,000 had been admitted to hospital in the week ending October 21. The percentage rise on previous data has not been reported. However, in Deaf Smith and Parmer Counties in Texas, admissions rates have risen by 1,000 percent in just one week, with 39.1 new admissions per 100,000 in the week ending October 21. Five counties in eastern Mississippi have seen even steeper rises, with admissions increasing by 1,500 percent. However, overall hospitalizations in these counties are still categorized as "low." At a state level, only Montana is considered to have medium rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations, while the rest of the country is considered to have low admissions rates. However, despite their low overall admissions rates, the following states have seen a significant (over 20 percent) increase in hospitalizations in the week ending October 21.

• Mississippi 45.3% increase
• Kansas 40.8%
• Indiana 39.9%
• Iowa 31.5%
• Vermont 29%
• Nebraska 27.9%
• Arizona 20.4%

Meanwhile, North Dakota, Washington, Delaware, Louisiana, Alaska and Hawaii have seen significant decreases in hospitalizations.

Four years since it first made headlines, many people in the U.S. now have some sort of protection against COVID-19 due to previous infections, vaccination or both. However, some people—particularly the elderly, those who are immunocompromised and those with other underlying health disorders—continue to be at risk of serious illness.

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The CDC recommends that those who live in areas with high COVID-19 hospital admission rates should wear a high quality mask or respirator in indoor public areas and consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public areas if you are at high risk of getting seriously ill. Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Do you have a question about COVID-19? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.