How the US is faring with COVID-19 this year

Currently, omicron subvariant JN.1 is driving many new COVID-19 cases across the United States. As of Dec. 23, JN.1 was responsible for 44% of COVID-19 cases in the United States, a roughly 21% increase from the week before.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have also increased recently. For the week ending Dec. 23, there were around 29,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, an almost 17% increase from the week before. There are also around 1,200 COVID-19 deaths per week.

However, health experts say that both hospitalizations and deaths have decreased significantly from prior years, suggesting that COVID-19 may be becoming less severe. Weekly hospitalizations are also increasing at a slower rate than previous years.

"We are in this pretty big infection surge right now, but what's really interesting is how hugely hospitalizations have and continue to decouple from infections," said Katelyn Jetelina, a public health expert and author of the newsletter, "Your Local Epidemiologist."

"We're not seeing the signs that would make me think that we're heading into another severe wave,” said Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. "So far, we're in relatively good shape."

Although COVID-19 might be less severe this year, health experts are still encouraging people to practice safety precautions, such as using masks and staying home when they're sick, and to get vaccinated when possible. Currently, only 19% of adults and 8% of children have received the newest COVID-19 vaccine.

"It's not too late," Rivers said. "We have not even reached peak yet for Covid, and once you reach peak, you still have to get down the other side."

Children may be at risk of hospitalization from RSV

In December, CDC Director Mandy Cohen said that RSV season was in "full swing," with many cases occurring in the southern part of the country. Although RSV hospitalizations have been relatively low overall, infants and young children are at the highest risk of severe illness.

According to CDC, RSV leads to an estimated 58,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations and 100 to 300 deaths every year in children under the age of five. Compared to the flu and COVID-19, RSV is more likely to cause hospitalization among pediatric patients.

In a new study published in JAMA, researchers analyzed data from around 500,000 patients under the age of 18 and found that the hospitalization rate for children who tested positive for RSV was 81.7%. In comparison, the hospitalization rate was 27.7% for the flu and 31.5% for the omicron variant.

Some states are also still seeing high levels of RSV. For example, Tennessee reported its highest number of confirmed RSV cases in more than a year. The Kansas City area of Missouri has also reported an increase in positive antigen and PCR tests for RSV.

"We encourage those who are concerned about RSV to reach out to their primary care provider for specified guidance on vaccination," said Matthew Peters, a spokesperson for the Metro Nashville Public Health Department. "Beyond vaccination, mitigation practices like staying home when sick, washing hands and covering coughs can help the community mitigate the effects of respiratory illnesses this season."

Aside from a maternal RSV vaccine designed to protect newborns from severe illness, there is also a monoclonal antibody called Beyfortus that can be used to protect all newborns and infants in or entering their first RSV season or children up to two years old who are vulnerable to severe illness. However, CDC in October issued a health advisory that Beyfortus was in short supply, potentially leaving many children at risk of illness.

"Ultimately RSV is a major contributor to illness in young children and ... the modalities that we have now to prevent RSV could, if applied wisely and broadly, really reduce hospitalizations and RSV morbidity," said Richard Malley, an infectious diseases specialist at Boston Children's Hospital. (Mandavilli, New York Times, 1/3; Lagasse, Healthcare Finance, 1/3; Kahn, MedPage Today, 12/26; Gluck, The Tennessean, 1/2; Augustine/Evans, KMBC 9 News, 1/2)

Given the influx of respiratory diseases in the United States, health experts are advising caution this holiday season. Here are five ways you can keep safe this holiday season.