COVID Hospitalizations on the Decline — Is This the End of the Summer Surge?

After nine straight weeks of rising COVID-19 hospitalizations, admissions owed to the virus are starting to fall.

The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that COVID hospitalizations are down 4.3% as of September 16. The number had been steadily increasing since mid-July, nearly tripling at the height of the summer surge, before beginning to slow down in late August.

COVID deaths are also down. According to the latest data, there were 615 COVID deaths for the week ending on September 16. In comparison, there were 1,005 deaths during the week ending on September 2. Currently, COVID deaths account for just under 3% of all deaths in the United States, according to the CDC.

The EG.5 variant, also known as Eris, currently accounts for the most cases, at 24.5%, while FL.1.5.1, or Fornax, is estimated to be responsible for 13.7% of infections. A slew of older XBB variants follow in line, while the “highly mutated” variant that had infectious disease experts on alert recently — BA.2.86, or Pirola — has not yet managed to register on the CDC’s variant tracker.

The new report comes right after the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration recommended new COVID boosters for everyone six months and older. 

Both Pfizer and Moderna had their updated versions of the boosters approved earlier this month. The new shots started to roll out shortly after, though there were some hiccups in shipping that caused delays in pharmacies receiving the boosters in time to meet immediate demands.

Despite the bumpy start, the issues with the booster rollout are likely temporary, experts have suggested. In the meantime, pharmacies are advising patients to call ahead of their appointment to verify that the shots are available and to address any concerns with costs.