COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths increasing

Editor's Note

The COVID-19 hospital admission rate in the US rose some 16% to more than 17,400 for the week ending August 26, and deaths increased by nearly 18% from the prior week, the September 7 New York Times reports.

This marks the seventh consecutive week of increases. The Omicron subvariant EG.5 (ie, Eris) remains the dominant variant, accounting for about 22% of US cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EG.5 is also circulating widely in many European countries and Asia.

Another variant BA.2.86 (ie, Pirola) recently emerged in 10 countries, simultaneously, and will require continued vigilance, the report says.