If You Live Here, You're in Danger, Virus Expert Warns

The coronavirus crisis is worsening, as a "winter surge" is already here. Cases are above 100K a day and—worse—hospitalizations are soaring in certain states in particular. "The four states, which also have some of the highest per capita current hospitalization numbers, are responsible for almost half the country's increase in COVID hospitalizations," reports the Washington Post. Which states should you be worried about—not just four, but others where cases are rising? Read on to discover all 6—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

COVID Hospitalizations Rose by Nearly 1,900

"Unvaccinated people appear to be driving hospitalizations in several states. In Michigan, three-quarters of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated, Chelsea Wuth, a senior state health official, told NBC News. Close to 90 percent of covid-19 patients in intensive care are unvaccinated, she added. About the same portion of those on ventilators are unvaccinated," reports the Washington Post.

COVID Hospitalizations Rose by Nearly 1,400

"Daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations reached a 21-day high in Ohio Tuesday," reports the Springfield News Sun. "The state recorded 612 COVID-19 related hospitalizations and 71 ICU admissions in the last day, according to the Ohio Department of Health. It's more than double Ohio's 21-day average of 269 hospitalizations a day and 25 ICU admissions a day. Hospitalizations and cases have continued to increase since November and are surpassing the peak reported during Ohio's fall surge."

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COVID Hospitalizations Rose by Nearly 1,400

"Pennsylvania's rate of positive COVID-19 tests reached 15.3% during the seven days ending Thursday, more than triple the level considered evidence of significant spread," reports Penn Live. "The rate is up from 12.1% the previous week and about 8% a few weeks ago. It had dropped to slightly more than 1% during the summer and before the months-long surge being fueled by the more contagious delta variant. Scientists say more than 5% of COVID-19 tests coming back positive is a sign of significant spread."

COVID Hospitalizations Rose by Nearly 900

"I am worried about the way the winter is going to go and I am worried about the people who are unvaccinated," Dr. Gabriel Bosslet, a pulmonary critical care physician at IU Health and associate professor of clinical medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, recently told 13News. "According to the data, the U.S. is currently seeing about 58,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations each day. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says hospitalizations have almost doubled in Indiana since Nov. 10." "Looks like this winter may be the worst surge yet," Bosslet tweeted. "The only patients I have cared for in the ICU in the past weeks have been unvaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, now is the time. If you are due for a 3rd shot, get it now."  

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"Health officials are contact tracing Anime NYC convention attendees to better understand the omicron variant and its transmissibility, its severity, and whether it's more immune to the available vaccines. At the same time, the state of New York is among six states accounting for a higher share of filled hospital beds, though authorities believe that delta is likely the variant responsible for those increases," reports NBC New York. "The jury is still out as to whether omicron poses the same severity threat as delta. Early evidence suggests it is not, but it is believed to be more infectious than earlier strains of the coronavirus."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

"Chicago health officials confirmed Tuesday the first case of the omicron COVID variant in the state of Illinois has been detected in a city resident, making Illinois one of 21 states to have at least one case of the contagious variant," reports ABC 7. "Health officials said the case was found in a person who is fully vaccinated and has received a booster dose. They have not required hospitalization and their health is improving, the Illinois Department of Public Health said….The variant's arrival comes as Illinois hospital beds are filling up."

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Follow the public health fundamentals and help end this pandemic, no matter where you live—get vaccinated ASAP; if you live in an area with low vaccination rates, wear an N95 face mask, don't travel, social distance, avoid large crowds, don't go indoors with people you're not sheltering with (especially in bars), practice good hand hygiene, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.