US Health Agency Warns of Potential Late Summer Wave as COVID Hospitalizations Spike

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising in the US, with over 7,100 patients hospitalized in the week of July 15, up from 6,444 the prior week. This marks the sharpest increase since December 2022. COVID-related emergency room visits are also on the rise. While the spikes have been significant in the Southeast, overall infection rates and deaths are still at near-historic lows. Experts suggest that these increases may be the start of a late summer wave, but the impact may be mitigated by prior immunity from vaccination and prior infections.