Hospitalizations from Covid are still happening, but in many instances, patients aren’t getting as sick as in the early days of the pandemic.
Despite a rise in Covid hospitalizations, doctors in intensive care units (ICUs) across the U.S. have observed that the severity of the disease has significantly decreased. Dr. Christopher Ohl, who has treated Covid patients for over three years at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in North Carolina, has noticed a positive shift. According to Ohl, patients admitted with Covid pneumonia are responding faster to treatments, have a lower likelihood of death, and are discharged earlier compared to earlier stages of the pandemic.
This trend is echoed by other ICU doctors, even as the number of hospitalizations increases. Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease expert at Duke University School of Medicine, explained that severe complications and prolonged hospital stays are less common now than they were in the past. The hyper-inflammatory reactions that were a hallmark of earlier Covid cases are much rarer today, though they still occur in some instances.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that about 17,400 people were hospitalized with Covid in the U.S. during the week ending August 26, marking a 15.7% increase from the previous week. While hospitalizations have been rising since early July, they are still much lower than in the early phases of the pandemic.
Doctors believe that the evolution of the virus, combined with widespread vaccination and natural immunity, may be contributing to the less severe outcomes. Vaccination efforts and previous infections have provided a level of protection that appears to mitigate the severity of the disease for most patients, reducing the need for intensive care.
While Covid cases continue to rise in some areas, health experts emphasize that the virus is now causing less severe illness for many individuals, particularly those who are vaccinated or have prior exposure. This trend is seen as a sign of progress in the fight against Covid, with the disease becoming more manageable over time, though experts continue to monitor any changes in variants.
ICU doctors remain vigilant, however, as hospitalizations are still significant and some patients, particularly those who are older or have underlying health conditions, may experience severe illness. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the importance of continued precautions, vaccination, and close monitoring of emerging Covid variants.
With the ongoing rise in hospitalizations, health officials are encouraging everyone, especially those in high-risk categories, to stay updated on vaccines and follow preventive measures to minimize the impact of Covid.
