COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations Among U.S. Adults Aged ≥18 Years - COVID-NET, 12 States, October 2023-April 2024

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024 Oct 3;73(39):869-875. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7339a2.

Abstract

Among adults, COVID-19 hospitalization rates increase with age. Data from the COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network were analyzed to estimate population-based COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates during October 2023-April 2024 and identify demographic and clinical characteristics of adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized with COVID-19. Adults aged ≥65 years accounted for 70% of all adult COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, and their COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates were higher than those among younger adult age groups. Cumulative rates of COVID-19-associated hospitalization during October 2023-April 2024 were the lowest for all adult age groups during an October-April surveillance period since 2020-2021. However, hospitalization rates among all adults aged ≥75 years approached one COVID-19-associated hospitalization for every 100 persons. Among adults hospitalized with COVID-19, 88.1% had not received the 2023-2024 formula COVID-19 vaccine before hospitalization, 80.0% had multiple underlying medical conditions, and 16.6% were residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Guidance for adults at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness, including adults aged ≥65 years and residents of LTCFs, should continue to focus on adopting measures to reduce risk for contracting COVID-19, advocating for receipt of recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, and seeking prompt outpatient antiviral treatment after receipt of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Hospitalization* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult