By IDSE News Staff
Despite the wishes of the president and most Americans, COVID-19 is not over, according to many experts. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra reinforced that message on Oct. 13, when he renewed the public health emergency declaration for COVID-19, which has existed since Jan. 27, 2020.
The emergency continues to be nationwide, he said.
Although the numbers are significantly down, an average of 328 people are still dying every day from the disease, and about 3,200 are hospitalized every day with 21,230 people hospitalized on Oct. 13. To date, more than 1 million people have died in the United States from COVID-19 in just two years. To put that in perspective, during the 2020-2021 influenza season, an estimated 5,000 people died from flu, and typically even in bad flu seasons, deaths do not exceed 60,000.
And many people are dealing with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 or long-COVID symptoms. According to a CDC survey, more than 40% of adults reported long COVID, and 19% said they are still having symptoms of long COVID.
In a separate report, HHS reiterated the importance of vaccination against COVID-19.
The new report from HHS shows that more than 90% of older adults are fully vaccinated and over 70% received a booster shot.
This high vaccination rate is thought to have prevented more than 650,000 fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations and more than 300,000 fewer deaths among older adults and other Americans enrolled in Medicare. The study, which was conducted by researchers with HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, underscores the importance of Americans—particularly seniors and others at high risk for serious outcomes—getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall, according to Mr. Becerra.
In addition to the reductions in severe COVID-19 health outcomes, reductions in COVID-19 hospitalizations were associated with a savings of more than $16 billion in direct medical costs.
“This report reaffirms what we have said all along: COVID-19 vaccines save lives and prevent hospitalizations,” Mr. Becerra said. “We now have updated COVID vaccines designed to protect you against the Omicron strain of COVID that makes up almost all COVID cases in the U.S.”
More than 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a facility where they can receive a free COVID-19 vaccination or booster.
