The U.S. is seeing a double-digit increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations as new highly transmissible omicron strains circulate nationwide.
As of Jan. 9, a daily average of 47,191 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, up 17 percent in the last two weeks and the highest figure seen since March 2022, according to data tracked by The New York Times. New admissions also jumped 16.1 percent in the seven-day period ending Jan. 3, CDC data shows.
Overall, COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing in 31 states, with many states in the Northeast reporting the highest per-capita hospitalization rates. Meanwhile, some western states — such as New Mexico and Wyoming — are seeing their lowest hospitalization figures ever, according to the Times.
The national increase in hospitalizations comes after a holiday season filled with heightened travel and indoor gatherings, and as the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 gains traction nationwide.
Ten places with the highest hospitalization rate per 100,000 residents:
Washington, D.C.: 37
Hospitalizations: 260 daily average as of Jan. 9
Delaware: 27
Hospitalizations: 267
North Carolina: 27
Hospitalizations: 2,834
Connecticut: 24
Hospitalizations: 866
New York: 23
Hospitalizations: 4,480
West Virginia: 20
Hospitalizations: 358
Massachusetts: 20
Hospitalizations: 1,359
New Jersey: 20
Hospitalizations: 1,749
Maryland: 19
Hospitalizations: 1,161
Georgia: 18
Hospitalizations: 1,922
Ten states with the largest 14-day increase in average daily COVID-19 hospitalizations:
Mississippi: 95 percent increase
Hospitalizations: 452 daily average as of Jan. 9
Alabama: 62 percent
Hospitalizations: 675
Louisiana: 62 percent
Hospitalizations: 492
South Carolina: 54 percent
Hospitalizations: 729
Virginia: 48 percent
Hospitalizations: 1,276
Florida: 48 percent
Hospitalizations: 3,044
North Carolina: 41 percent
Hospitalizations: 2,834
Massachusetts: 40 percent
Hospitalizations: 1,359
Georgia: 39 percent
Hospitalizations: 1,922
Texas: 36 percent
Hospitalizations: 3,600