Title: Majority of COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths Occur Among Older Adults, CDC Findings Reveal
According to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults have accounted for the majority of hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19 this year. The report reveals a stark increase in hospitalization rates among adults aged 65 and older compared to the previous year.
Between January and August 2023, adults aged 65 and older comprised 62.9% of COVID-19 hospitalizations, significantly higher than the 45.9% recorded from March 2020 to December 2022. The data was derived from the CDC’s COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), which focused on individuals who had tested positive for the virus within 14 days before being admitted to the hospital.
The analysis further highlighted that hospitalization rates were highest amongst adults aged 85 and older, with 42.2 cases per 100,000, while those aged 65 to 74 had the lowest rate at 8.6 cases per 100,000. Shockingly, senior citizens also represented 61.3% of intensive care unit admissions and a staggering 87.9% of in-hospital COVID-19 deaths during the first half of 2023.
Disturbingly, despite the evident vulnerability of older adults to severe COVID-19 outcomes, the report revealed that only 23.6% of this age group had received the updated bivalent booster that provided protection against the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. Additionally, only 58.6% of older adults had received the original vaccines.
The data also underscored the importance of underlying conditions in contributing to severe COVID-19 outcomes among older adults. Nearly all older adults who were admitted to the hospital had at least one underlying condition. The risk of hospitalization was found to be four times greater for those with two or more underlying conditions.
The authors of the report emphasized the crucial role of vaccination and risk reduction measures for older adults and other high-risk individuals. These findings can help public health officials make informed recommendations regarding treatments and vaccines for those at increased risk.
In light of the data, it is imperative for all adults, particularly those aged 65 and older, to prioritize vaccination, adopt risk reduction measures, and promptly seek treatment if they test positive for COVID-19. Efforts must be intensified to ensure older adults are adequately protected against the virus and its variants, thereby preventing potentially dire consequences.
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic, recognizing and addressing the vulnerabilities of older adults is paramount to safeguarding public health and saving lives.
