During the week of February 20th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the COVID status in the U.S. It is noted that since the beginning of 2013, data on incident (new) cases underestimates the actual number, given that many states no longer submit data to the CDC and home testing limits reporting of cases.
To date, 103 million cumulative cases have been recorded, suggesting that almost 1 in 3 U.S. residents have acquired the infection. The cumulative mortality rate is 1.1 million, although this figure is an underestimate based on variability in the criteria for certifying cause of death.
For the week ending February 15th, there were 259,339 cases documented, down seven percent from the previous week. During this week, 2,838 deaths were attributed to COVID, predominantly in the elderly and especially those who did not receive the initial series of vaccinations. Approximately 66 percent of U. S. residents have received the primary vaccination series and this is probably responsible for the 5.7 percent weekly decrease in new hospital admissions and a 6.7 percent weekly decrease in hospitalizations.
The Omicron sub lineage XBB.1.5 was responsible for 80 percent of cases that were subjected to whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 isolates. The BQ.1.1 sub lineage was responsible for 12 percent of cases.
The National Institutes for Health is evaluating the impact of chronic (“long”) COVID that affects the respiratory system and results in neurologic abnormalities that appear to persist for longer than six months. “Long” COVID is regarded as a major cause of premature retirement and disability claims in the U. K. and is a direct consequence of infection. A similar situation is emerging in the U.S. and will burden our health system for decades.