Clinical Outcomes of US Adults Hospitalized for COVID-19 and Influenza in the Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network, October 2021-September 2022.

Severe outcomes were common among adults hospitalized for COVID-19 or influenza, while the percentage of COVID-19 hospitalizations involving critical care decreased from October 2021 to September 2022. During the Omicron BA.5 period, intensive care unit admission frequency was similar for COVID-19 and influenza, although patients with COVID-19 had a higher frequency of in-hospital death.

Association of Chronic Medical Conditions With Severe Outcomes Among Nonpregnant Adults 18-49 Years Old Hospitalized With Influenza, FluSurv-NET, 2011-2019.

Background: Older age and chronic conditions are associated with severe influenza outcomes; however, data are only comprehensively available for adults ≥65 years old. Using data from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), we identified characteristics associated with severe outcomes in adults 18-49 years old hospitalized with influenza. Methods: We included FluSurv-NET data from nonpregnant adults 18-49 years old hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2011-2012 through 2018-2019 seasons. We used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between select characteristics and severe outcomes including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and in-hospital death. Results: A total of 16 140 patients aged 18-49 years and hospitalized with influenza were included in the analysis; the median age was 39 years, and 26% received current-season influenza vaccine before hospitalization. Obesity, asthma, and diabetes mellitus were the most common chronic conditions. Conditions associated with a significantly increased risk of severe outcomes included age group 30-39 or 40-49 years (IMV, age group 30-39 years: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.25; IMV, age group 40-49 years: aOR, 1.36; death, age group 30-39 years: aOR, 1.28; death, age group 40-49 years: aOR, 1.69), being unvaccinated (ICU: aOR, 1.18; IMV: aOR, 1.25; death: aOR, 1.48), and having chronic conditions including extreme obesity and chronic lung, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurologic, or liver diseases (ICU: range aOR, 1.22-1.56; IMV: range aOR, 1.17-1.54; death: range aOR, 1.43-2.36). Conclusions: To reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza among adults aged 18-49 years, health care providers should strongly encourage receipt of annual influenza vaccine and lifestyle/behavioral modifications, particularly among those with chronic medical conditions.

Severity of influenza-associated hospitalisations by influenza virus type and subtype in the USA, 2010-19: a repeated cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Influenza burden varies across seasons, partly due to differences in circulating influenza virus types or subtypes. Using data from the US population-based surveillance system, Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), we aimed to assess the severity of influenza-associated outcomes in individuals hospitalised with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections during the 2010-11 to 2018-19 influenza seasons. METHODS: To evaluate the association between influenza virus type or subtype causing the infection (influenza A H3N2, A H1N1pdm09, and B viruses) and in-hospital severity outcomes (intensive care unit [ICU] admission, use of mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO], and death), we used FluSurv-NET to capture data for laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalisations from the 2010-11 to 2018-19 influenza seasons for individuals of all ages living in select counties in 13 US states. All individuals had to have an influenza virus test within 14 days before or during their hospital stay and an admission date between Oct 1 and April 30 of an influenza season. Exclusion criteria were individuals who did not have a complete chart review; cases from sites that contributed data for three or fewer seasons; hospital-onset cases; cases with unidentified influenza type; cases of multiple influenza virus type or subtype co-infection; or individuals younger than 6 months and ineligible for the influenza vaccine. Logistic regression models adjusted for influenza season, influenza vaccination status, age, and FluSurv-NET site compared odds of in-hospital severity by virus type or subtype. When missing, influenza A subtypes were imputed using chained equations of known subtypes by season. FINDINGS: Data for 122 941 individuals hospitalised with influenza were captured in FluSurv-NET from the 2010-11 to 2018-19 seasons; after exclusions were applied, 107 941 individuals remained and underwent influenza A virus imputation when missing A subtype (43·4%). After imputation, data for 104 969 remained and were included in the final analytic sample. Averaging across imputed datasets, 57·7% (weighted percentage) had influenza A H3N2, 24·6% had influenza A H1N1pdm09, and 17·7% had influenza B virus infections; 16·7% required ICU admission, 6·5% received mechanical ventilation or ECMO, and 3·0% died (95% CIs had a range of less than 0·1% and are not displayed). Individuals with A H1N1pdm09 had higher odds of in-hospital severe outcomes than those with A H3N2: adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for A H1N1pdm09 versus A H3N2 were 1·42 (95% CI 1·32-1·52) for ICU admission; 1·79 (1·60-2·00) for mechanical ventilation or ECMO use; and 1·25 (1·07-1·46) for death. The adjusted ORs for individuals infected with influenza B versus influenza A H3N2 were 1·06 (95% CI 1·01-1·12) for ICU admission, 1·14 (1·05-1·24) for mechanical ventilation or ECMO use, and 1·18 (1·07-1·31) for death. INTERPRETATION: Despite a higher burden of hospitalisations with influenza A H3N2, we found an increased likelihood of in-hospital severe outcomes in individuals hospitalised with influenza A H1N1pdm09 or influenza B virus. Thus, it is important for individuals to receive an annual influenza vaccine and for health-care providers to provide early antiviral treatment for patients with suspected influenza who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, not only when there is high influenza A H3N2 virus circulation but also when influenza A H1N1pdm09 and influenza B viruses are circulating. FUNDING: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bacterial and viral infections among adults hospitalized with COVID-19, COVID-NET, 14 states, March 2020-April 2022.

Background: Bacterial and viral infections can occur with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but prevalence, risk factors, and associated clinical outcomes are not fully understood. Methods: We used the Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), a population-based surveillance system, to investigate the occurrence of bacterial and viral infections among hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020 and April 2022. Clinician-driven testing for bacterial pathogens from sputum, deep respiratory, and sterile sites were included. The demographic and clinical features of those with and without bacterial infections were compared. We also describe the prevalence of viral pathogens including respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus/enterovirus, influenza, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza viruses, and non-SARS-CoV-2 endemic coronaviruses. Results: Among 36 490 hospitalized adults with COVID-19, 53.3% had bacterial cultures taken within 7 days of admission and 6.0% of these had a clinically relevant bacterial pathogen. After adjustment for demographic factors and co-morbidities, bacterial infections in patients with COVID-19 within 7 days of admission were associated with an adjusted relative risk of death 2.3 times that of patients with negative bacterial testing. Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rods were the most frequently isolated bacterial pathogens. Among hospitalized adults with COVID-19, 2766 (7.6%) were tested for seven virus groups. A non-SARS-CoV-2 virus was identified in 0.9% of tested patients. Conclusions: Among patients with clinician-driven testing, 6.0% of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 were identified to have bacterial coinfections and 0.9% were identified to have viral coinfections; identification of a bacterial coinfection within 7 days of admission was associated with increased mortality.

Acute Cardiac Events During COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with cardiac complications. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with acute cardiac events during COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among adults. METHODS: During January 2021 to November 2021, medical chart abstraction was conducted on a probability sample of adults hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection identified from 99 U.S. counties in 14 U.S. states in the COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network. We calculated the prevalence of acute cardiac events (identified by International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision-Clinical Modification codes) by history of underlying cardiac disease and examined associated risk factors and disease outcomes. RESULTS: Among 8,460 adults, 11.4% (95% CI: 10.1%-12.9%) experienced an acute cardiac event during a COVID-19-associated hospitalization. Prevalence was higher among adults who had underlying cardiac disease (23.4%; 95% CI: 20.7%-26.3%) compared with those who did not (6.2%; 95% CI: 5.1%-7.6%). Acute ischemic heart disease (5.5%; 95% CI: 4.5%-6.5%) and acute heart failure (5.4%; 95% CI: 4.4%-6.6%) were the most prevalent events; 0.3% (95% CI: 0.1%-0.5%) experienced acute myocarditis or pericarditis. Risk factors varied by underlying cardiac disease status. Patients with ≥1 acute cardiac event had greater risk of intensive care unit admission (adjusted risk ratio: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.8-2.1) and in-hospital death (adjusted risk ratio: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.1) compared with those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Acute cardiac events were common during COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, particularly among patients with underlying cardiac disease, and are associated with severe disease outcomes. Persons at greater risk for experiencing acute cardiac events during COVID-19-associated hospitalizations might benefit from more intensive clinical evaluation and monitoring during hospitalization.

Influenza Antiviral Use in Patients Hospitalized With Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza in the United States, FluSurv-NET, 2015-2019.

From surveillance data of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza in the United States during the 2015-2016 through 2018-2019 seasons, initiation of antiviral treatment increased from 86% to 94%, with increases seen across all age groups. However, 62% started therapy ≥3 days after illness onset, driven by late presentation to care.

Comparison of Influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalizations Among Children Younger Than 18 Years Old in the United States: FluSurv-NET (October-April 2017-2021) and COVID-NET (October 2020-September 2021).

BACKGROUND: Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 are significant causes of respiratory illness in children. METHODS: Influenza- and COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among children <18 years old were analyzed from FluSurv-NET and COVID-NET, 2 population-based surveillance systems with similar catchment areas and methodology. The annual COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate per 100 000 during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic (1 October 2020-30 September 2021) was compared with influenza-associated hospitalization rates during the 2017-2018 through 2019-2020 influenza seasons. In-hospital outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death, were compared. RESULTS: Among children <18 years, the COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate (48.2) was higher than influenza-associated hospitalization rates: 2017-2018 (33.5), 2018-2019 (33.8), and 2019-2020 (41.7). The COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate was higher among adolescents 12-17 years old (COVID-19: 59.9; influenza range: 12.2-14.1), but similar or lower among children 5-11 (COVID-19: 25.0; influenza range: 24.3-31.7) and 0-4 (COVID-19: 66.8; influenza range: 70.9-91.5) years old. Among children <18 years, a higher proportion with COVID-19 required ICU admission compared with influenza (26.4% vs 21.6%; P < .01). Pediatric deaths were uncommon during both COVID-19- and influenza-associated hospitalizations (0.7% vs 0.5%; P = .28). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of extensive mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate during 2020-2021 was higher among adolescents and similar or lower among children <12 years compared with influenza during the 3 seasons before the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 adds substantially to the existing burden of pediatric hospitalizations and severe outcomes caused by influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Drug use and severe outcomes among adults hospitalized with influenza, 2016-2019.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is a persistent public health problem associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Drug use is related to myriad health complications, but the relationship between drug use and severe influenza outcomes is not well understood. The study objective was to evaluate the relationship between drug use and severe influenza-associated outcomes. METHODS: Data were collected by the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) from the 2016-2017 through 2018-2019 influenza seasons. Among persons hospitalized with influenza, descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyze differences in demographic characteristics, risk and behavioral factors, and severe outcomes (intensive care unit [ICU] admission, mechanical ventilation, or death) between people who use drugs (PWUD), defined as having documented drug use within the past year, and non-PWUD. RESULTS: Among 48,430 eligible hospitalized influenza cases, 2019 were PWUD and 46,411 were non-PWUD. PWUD were younger than non-PWUD and more likely to be male, non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic/Latino, smoke tobacco, abuse alcohol, and have chronic conditions including asthma, chronic liver disease, chronic lung disease, or immunosuppressive conditions. PWUD had greater odds of ICU admission and mechanical ventilation, but not death compared with non-PWUD; however, these findings were not statistically significant after adjustment. Opioid use specifically was associated with increased risk of ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSION: These results support targeted initiatives to prevent influenza in this population, including influenza vaccination, which remains one of the most important tools to prevent influenza infection and associated severe outcomes.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Coinfection and Clinical Characteristics Among Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years Who Were Hospitalized or Died with Influenza - United States, 2021-22 Influenza Season.

The 2022-23 influenza season shows an early rise in pediatric influenza-associated hospitalizations (1). SARS-CoV-2 viruses also continue to circulate (2). The current influenza season is the first with substantial co-circulation of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 (3). Although both seasonal influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 can contribute to substantial pediatric morbidity (3-5), whether coinfection increases disease severity compared with that associated with infection with one virus alone is unknown. This report describes characteristics and prevalence of laboratory-confirmed influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 coinfections among patients aged <18 years who had been hospitalized or died with influenza as reported to three CDC surveillance platforms during the 2021-22 influenza season. Data from two Respiratory Virus Hospitalizations Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) platforms (October 1, 2021-April 30, 2022),§ and notifiable pediatric deaths associated¶ with influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection (October 3, 2021-October 1, 2022)** were analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 coinfections occurred in 6% (32 of 575) of pediatric influenza-associated hospitalizations and in 16% (seven of 44) of pediatric influenza-associated deaths. Compared with patients without coinfection, a higher proportion of those hospitalized with coinfection received invasive mechanical ventilation (4% versus 13%; p = 0.03) and bilevel positive airway pressure or continuous positive airway pressure (BiPAP/CPAP) (6% versus 16%; p = 0.05). Among seven coinfected patients who died, none had completed influenza vaccination, and only one received influenza antivirals.†† To help prevent severe outcomes, clinicians should follow recommended respiratory virus testing algorithms to guide treatment decisions and consider early antiviral treatment initiation for pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed influenza, including those with SARS-CoV-2 coinfection who are hospitalized or at increased risk for severe illness. The public and parents should adopt prevention strategies including considering wearing well-fitted, high-quality masks when respiratory virus circulation is high and staying up-to-date with recommended influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for persons aged ≥6 months.

COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations Among U.S. Infants Aged <6 Months - COVID-NET, 13 States, June 2021-August 2022.

COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates are highest among adults aged ≥65 years (1); however, COVID-19 can and does cause severe and fatal outcomes in children, including infants (2,3). After the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) BA.1 variant in December 2021, hospitalizations among children aged <5 years, who were ineligible for vaccination, increased more rapidly than did those in other age groups (4). On June 18, 2022, CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccination for infants and children aged ≥6 months (5). Data from the Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET)* were analyzed to describe changes in the age distribution of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations since the Delta-predominant period (June 20-December 18, 2021)† with a focus on U.S. infants aged <6 months. During the Omicron BA.2/BA.5-predominant periods (December 19, 2021­August 31, 2022), weekly hospitalizations per 100,000 infants aged <6 months increased from a nadir of 2.2 (week ending April 9, 2022) to a peak of 26.0 (week ending July 23, 2022), and the average weekly hospitalization rate among these infants (13.7) was similar to that among adults aged 65-74 years (13.8). However, the prevalence of indicators of severe disease§ among hospitalized infants did not increase since the B.1.617.2 (Delta)-predominant period. To help protect infants too young to be vaccinated, prevention should focus on nonpharmaceutical interventions and vaccination of pregnant women, which might provide protection through transplacental transfer of antibodies (6).

COVID-19-Associated Hospitalizations Among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Adults 18 Years or Older in 13 US States, January 2021 to April 2022.

Importance: Understanding risk factors for hospitalization in vaccinated persons and the association of COVID-19 vaccines with hospitalization rates is critical for public health efforts to control COVID-19. Objective: To determine characteristics of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among vaccinated persons and comparative hospitalization rates in unvaccinated and vaccinated persons. Design, Setting, and Participants: From January 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022, patients 18 years or older with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified from more than 250 hospitals in the population-based COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network. State immunization information system data were linked to cases, and the vaccination coverage data of the defined catchment population were used to compare hospitalization rates in unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals. Vaccinated and unvaccinated patient characteristics were compared in a representative sample with detailed medical record review; unweighted case counts and weighted percentages were calculated. Exposures: Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated hospitalization, defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result within 14 days before or during hospitalization. Main Outcomes and Measures: COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates among vaccinated vs unvaccinated persons and factors associated with COVID-19-associated hospitalization in vaccinated persons were assessed. Results: Using representative data from 192 509 hospitalizations (see Table 1 for demographic information), monthly COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates ranged from 3.5 times to 17.7 times higher in unvaccinated persons than vaccinated persons regardless of booster dose status. From January to April 2022, when the Omicron variant was predominant, hospitalization rates were 10.5 times higher in unvaccinated persons and 2.5 times higher in vaccinated persons with no booster dose, respectively, compared with those who had received a booster dose. Among sampled cases, vaccinated hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were older than those who were unvaccinated (median [IQR] age, 70 [58-80] years vs 58 [46-70] years, respectively; P < .001) and more likely to have 3 or more underlying medical conditions (1926 [77.8%] vs 4124 [51.6%], respectively; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of US adults hospitalized with COVID-19, unvaccinated adults were more likely to be hospitalized compared with vaccinated adults; hospitalization rates were lowest in those who had received a booster dose. Hospitalized vaccinated persons were older and more likely to have 3 or more underlying medical conditions and be long-term care facility residents compared with hospitalized unvaccinated persons. The study results suggest that clinicians and public health practitioners should continue to promote vaccination with all recommended doses for eligible persons.

Hospitalization of Infants and Children Aged 0-4 Years with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 - COVID-NET, 14 States, March 2020-February 2022.

The B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been the predominant circulating variant in the United States since late December 2021.* Coinciding with increased Omicron circulation, COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates increased rapidly among infants and children aged 0-4 years, a group not yet eligible for vaccination (1). Coronavirus Disease 19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET)† data were analyzed to describe COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among U.S. infants and children aged 0-4 years since March 2020. During the period of Omicron predominance (December 19, 2021-February 19, 2022), weekly COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates per 100,000 infants and children aged 0-4 years peaked at 14.5 (week ending January 8, 2022); this Omicron-predominant period peak was approximately five times that during the period of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) predominance (June 27-December 18, 2021, which peaked the week ending September 11, 2021).§ During Omicron predominance, 63% of hospitalized infants and children had no underlying medical conditions; infants aged <6 months accounted for 44% of hospitalizations, although no differences were observed in indicators of severity by age. Strategies to prevent COVID-19 among infants and young children are important and include vaccination among currently eligible populations (2) such as pregnant women (3), family members, and caregivers of infants and young children (4).

Hospitalizations of Children and Adolescents with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 - COVID-NET, 14 States, July 2021-January 2022.

The first U.S. case of COVID-19 attributed to the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) was reported on December 1, 2021 (1), and by the week ending December 25, 2021, Omicron was the predominant circulating variant in the United States.* Although COVID-19-associated hospitalizations are more frequent among adults,† COVID-19 can lead to severe outcomes in children and adolescents (2). This report analyzes data from the Coronavirus Disease 19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET)§ to describe COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among U.S. children (aged 0-11 years) and adolescents (aged 12-17 years) during periods of Delta (July 1-December 18, 2021) and Omicron (December 19, 2021-January 22, 2022) predominance. During the Delta- and Omicron-predominant periods, rates of weekly COVID-19-associated hospitalizations per 100,000 children and adolescents peaked during the weeks ending September 11, 2021, and January 8, 2022, respectively. The Omicron variant peak (7.1 per 100,000) was four times that of the Delta variant peak (1.8), with the largest increase observed among children aged 0-4 years.¶ During December 2021, the monthly hospitalization rate among unvaccinated adolescents aged 12-17 years (23.5) was six times that among fully vaccinated adolescents (3.8). Strategies to prevent COVID-19 among children and adolescents, including vaccination of eligible persons, are critical.*.

Severity of Disease Among Adults Hospitalized with Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Before and During the Period of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) Predominance - COVID-NET, 14 States, January-August 2021.

In mid-June 2021, B.1.671.2 (Delta) became the predominant variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, circulating in the United States. As of July 2021, the Delta variant was responsible for nearly all new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the United States.* The Delta variant is more transmissible than previously circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants (1); however, whether it causes more severe disease in adults has been uncertain. Data from the CDC COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), a population-based surveillance system for COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, were used to examine trends in severe outcomes in adults aged ≥18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 during periods before (January-June 2021) and during (July-August 2021) Delta variant predominance. COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates among all adults declined during January-June 2021 (pre-Delta period), before increasing during July-August 2021 (Delta period). Among sampled nonpregnant hospitalized COVID-19 patients with completed medical record abstraction and a discharge disposition during the pre-Delta period, the proportion of patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), or died while hospitalized did not significantly change from the pre-Delta period to the Delta period. The proportion of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were aged 18-49 years significantly increased, from 24.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 23.2%-26.3%) of all hospitalizations in the pre-Delta period, to 35.8% (95% CI = 32.1%-39.5%, p<0.01) during the Delta period. When examined by vaccination status, 71.8% of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations in the Delta period were in unvaccinated adults. Adults aged 18-49 years accounted for 43.6% (95% CI = 39.1%-48.2%) of all hospitalizations among unvaccinated adults during the Delta period. No difference was observed in ICU admission, receipt of IMV, or in-hospital death among nonpregnant hospitalized adults between the pre-Delta and Delta periods. However, the proportion of unvaccinated adults aged 18-49 years hospitalized with COVID-19 has increased as the Delta variant has become more predominant. Lower vaccination coverage in this age group likely contributed to the increase in hospitalized patients during the Delta period. COVID-19 vaccination is critical for all eligible adults, including those aged <50 years who have relatively low vaccination rates compared with older adults.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Rates of COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization, Intensive Care Unit Admission, and In-Hospital Death in the United States From March 2020 to February 2021.

Importance: Racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Objectives: To evaluate whether rates of severe COVID-19, defined as hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or in-hospital death, are higher among racial and ethnic minority groups compared with non-Hispanic White persons. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study included 99 counties within 14 US states participating in the COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network. Participants were persons of all ages hospitalized with COVID-19 from March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021. Exposures: Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated hospitalization, defined as a positive SARS-CoV-2 test within 14 days prior to or during hospitalization. Main Outcomes and Measures: Cumulative age-adjusted rates (per 100 000 population) of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death by race and ethnicity. Rate ratios (RR) were calculated for each racial and ethnic group compared with White persons. Results: Among 153 692 patients with COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, 143 342 (93.3%) with information on race and ethnicity were included in the analysis. Of these, 105 421 (73.5%) were 50 years or older, 72 159 (50.3%) were male, 28 762 (20.1%) were Hispanic or Latino, 2056 (1.4%) were non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native, 7737 (5.4%) were non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander, 40 806 (28.5%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 63 981 (44.6%) were White. Compared with White persons, American Indian or Alaska Native, Latino, Black, and Asian or Pacific Islander persons were more likely to have higher cumulative age-adjusted rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death as follows: American Indian or Alaska Native (hospitalization: RR, 3.70; 95% CI, 3.54-3.87; ICU admission: RR, 6.49; 95% CI, 6.01-7.01; death: RR, 7.19; 95% CI, 6.47-7.99); Latino (hospitalization: RR, 3.06; 95% CI, 3.01-3.10; ICU admission: RR, 4.20; 95% CI, 4.08-4.33; death: RR, 3.85; 95% CI, 3.68-4.01); Black (hospitalization: RR, 2.85; 95% CI, 2.81-2.89; ICU admission: RR, 3.17; 95% CI, 3.09-3.26; death: RR, 2.58; 95% CI, 2.48-2.69); and Asian or Pacific Islander (hospitalization: RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; ICU admission: RR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.83-1.98; death: RR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.55-1.74). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional analysis, American Indian or Alaska Native, Latino, Black, and Asian or Pacific Islander persons were more likely than White persons to have a COVID-19-associated hospitalization, ICU admission, or in-hospital death during the first year of the US COVID-19 pandemic. Equitable access to COVID-19 preventive measures, including vaccination, is needed to minimize the gap in racial and ethnic disparities of severe COVID-19.

Hospitalizations Associated with COVID-19 Among Children and Adolescents - COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1, 2020-August 14, 2021.

Although COVID-19-associated hospitalizations and deaths have occurred more frequently in adults,† COVID-19 can also lead to severe outcomes in children and adolescents (1,2). Schools are opening for in-person learning, and many prekindergarten children are returning to early care and education programs during a time when the number of COVID-19 cases caused by the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is increasing.§ Therefore, it is important to monitor indicators of severe COVID-19 among children and adolescents. This analysis uses Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET)¶ data to describe COVID-19-associated hospitalizations among U.S. children and adolescents aged 0-17 years. During March 1, 2020-August 14, 2021, the cumulative incidence of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations was 49.7 per 100,000 children and adolescents. The weekly COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate per 100,000 children and adolescents during the week ending August 14, 2021 (1.4) was nearly five times the rate during the week ending June 26, 2021 (0.3); among children aged 0-4 years, the weekly hospitalization rate during the week ending August 14, 2021, was nearly 10 times that during the week ending June 26, 2021.** During June 20-July 31, 2021, the hospitalization rate among unvaccinated adolescents (aged 12-17 years) was 10.1 times higher than that among fully vaccinated adolescents. Among all hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19, the proportions with indicators of severe disease (such as intensive care unit [ICU] admission) after the Delta variant became predominant (June 20-July 31, 2021) were similar to those earlier in the pandemic (March 1, 2020-June 19, 2021). Implementation of preventive measures to reduce transmission and severe outcomes in children is critical, including vaccination of eligible persons, universal mask wearing in schools, recommended mask wearing by persons aged ≥2 years in other indoor public spaces and child care centers,†† and quarantining as recommended after exposure to persons with COVID-19.§§.