COVID Hospitalizations in Massachusetts Experience First Upticks Since January, Signaling Potential Summer Surges

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Massachusetts have seen their first upticks since January, with 130 people currently hospitalized. Experts caution against comparing these increases to previous surges due to the low number of cases at present. The lack of surveillance infrastructure and changes in data collection have made it harder to track surges accurately. While seasonality is not a factor for the virus, changes in behavior, such as summer travel and the abandonment of preventive measures, may be contributing to the current increases. Seniors remain at high risk, and experts recommend continued precautions, including wearing masks and considering boosters. The EG.5 variant, a subvariant of Omicron, has shown a slight increase but is not considered a significant problem at this point.