Fatalities Attributed to Pneumonia, Influenza, or COVID-19 Increased Last Week

Nationally, COVIDView surveillance indicators tracking levels of SARS-CoV-2 virus circulation and associated illnesses have been increasing since September 2020, reported the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 23, 2020. The rate increased from 5.6% during week #41 to 6.3% during week #42.

This change is driven primarily by activity in the Southeastern and Central parts of the USA.

Furthermore, since the week ending September 26, 2020 (#39), overall weekly hospitalization rates have increased in the USA, driven primarily by an increase in rates among adults aged 50 years and older.

And, based on death certificate data, the percentage of fatalities attributed to pneumonia, influenza, or COVID-19 (PIC) for week 42 was 7.6% and, while declining, remains above the PIC epidemic threshold, stated the CDC.