COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has impacted global health since late 2019. While many experience mild or asymptomatic cases, a notable portion requires advanced medical care, leading to hospital admissions. Tracking these admissions measures the disease’s severity and its burden on healthcare systems. Understanding the reasons for hospitalization, affected populations, and evolving trends informs public health strategies.
Why Patients Are Admitted
Hospitalization for COVID-19 often becomes necessary when the infection leads to severe symptoms and complications that cannot be managed at home. A primary reason for admission is severe respiratory distress, characterized by difficulty breathing and dangerously low oxygen levels, which may require supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation to support lung function.
Beyond immediate breathing problems, COVID-19 can cause pneumonia, an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, filling them with fluid or pus. The virus can also induce organ dysfunction, affecting systems beyond the lungs, such as acute kidney injury. Heart complications like myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or arrhythmias, and neurological issues such as new confusion or seizures, can also necessitate hospital care. Furthermore, the infection can exacerbate existing chronic conditions, making individuals with pre-existing health issues more susceptible to severe illness and requiring hospitalization.
Who is Most at Risk for Admission
Certain demographic groups and underlying health conditions significantly increase an individual’s likelihood of being admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. Age is a prominent factor, with older adults, particularly those over 65, facing a substantially higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
Underlying medical conditions also play a large role in determining hospitalization risk. These include chronic lung diseases like COPD or asthma, heart disease, diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2), obesity, chronic kidney disease, and cancer. Individuals who are immunocompromised due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, or medications are also at elevated risk. Additionally, unvaccinated individuals are at a considerably higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization compared to vaccinated individuals. Pregnancy and certain disabilities can also increase the risk of severe outcomes.
How Admissions Have Changed Over Time
The trajectory of COVID-19 hospital admissions has evolved considerably since the pandemic’s onset, influenced by the emergence of new viral variants and the widespread implementation of vaccination programs. Initial surges characterized the early waves of the pandemic, with high numbers of hospitalizations. The impact of different variants, such as Delta and Omicron, significantly shaped these trends, affecting both transmission rates and disease severity.
Widespread vaccination efforts have played a substantial role in reducing severe outcomes and hospitalizations, even as new variants emerged. For example, during the Omicron-predominant period from January to April 2022, hospitalization rates were 10.5 times higher in unvaccinated persons compared to those who had received a booster dose. This indicates a decoupling of overall case numbers from hospitalization rates, as vaccination helps prevent severe disease even if infection occurs. Seasonal patterns have also been observed, with higher admissions typically occurring during colder months, aligning with other respiratory viruses.
Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Hospitalization
Several actionable measures can significantly reduce an individual’s personal risk of developing severe COVID-19 that necessitates hospitalization. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccination and recommended booster shots is a primary protective step. Unvaccinated individuals were 6 times more likely to be hospitalized and 12 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated and boosted, based on 2023 CDC data.
Practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, helps limit the spread of the virus. Wearing masks in high-risk settings or during periods of increased community transmission also adds a layer of protection. Staying home when experiencing symptoms of illness prevents further transmission to others.
Seeking early medical consultation for symptoms, especially if one has underlying risk factors, is important for accessing antiviral treatments if appropriate, which can reduce the risk of severe illness. Finally, effectively managing existing underlying health conditions through ongoing medical care can lower the risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.