The ongoing impact of covid-19 continues to affect the United States, with millions of cases reported annually. Recent research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the disease has resulted in approximately 1 million hospitalizations and around 100,000 deaths each year. This information underscores the persistent threat posed by the virus, particularly for individuals aged 65 and older, prompting calls for continued public health interventions, including booster vaccinations.
Despite the official end of the Public Health Emergency in May 2023, the findings suggest that covid-19 remains a significant contributor to mortality and healthcare utilization among older adults. The analysis utilized surveillance data from COVID-NET, focusing on two distinct periods: from October 2022 to September 2023, and the upcoming year from October 2023 to September 2024. Researchers estimate that during the past year, covid-19 affected 43 million Americans.
Since its emergence in late December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 1 million lives in the U.S., making it the deadliest pandemic in American history. While vaccination efforts have reduced severe cases and fatalities in recent years, covid-19 is now classified as an endemic disease, joining various other respiratory infections that persistently pose health risks.