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

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.

FIGURE 1

Cumulative COVID-19–associated hospitalization rates among adults aged ≥18 years, by age group and surveillance season — COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network, 12 states, March 2020–April 2024 * Cumulative rates are the sequential sum of weekly hospitalizations divided by the catchment area population. ^† COVID-19–associated hospitalizations among patients who received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result during hospitalization or ≤14 days before admission. ^§ The COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network surveillance season extends year-round from epidemiologic week 40 through epidemiologic week 39, which roughly aligns with October–September of the following year. To compare with the analytic period in this study, the season was divided into surveillance weeks 40–17 (approximately October–April) and epidemiologic weeks 18–39 (approximately May–September). The 2019–2020 surveillance season began on March 1, 2020; data for that surveillance season are presented as epidemiologic weeks 10–17 and weeks 18–39. ^¶ Selected counties and county equivalents in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.

FIGURE 2

Cumulative age-adjusted COVID-19–associated hospitalization rates among adults aged ≥18 years, by race and ethnicity — COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network, 12 states, October 1, 2023–April 27, 2024 * Cumulative rates are the sequential sum of weekly hospitalizations divided by the catchment area population. ^† COVID-19–associated hospitalizations among patients who received a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result during hospitalization or ≤14 days before admission. ^§ Persons of Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) origin might be of any race but are categorized as Hispanic; all racial groups are non-Hispanic. ^¶ Selected counties and county equivalents in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah.