Are COVID cases rising? Reports shows uptick in Tennessee hospitalizations

Public health officials are tracking another summer uptick in COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Tennessee and across the country despite the official end of the pandemic on May 11.

Nationally, COVID-related hospitalizations are up more than 12%, according to the latest tracking data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statewide, 159 hospitalized patients tested positive for COVID-19 — the highest number since the spring. The Metro Public Health Department for Nashville and Davidson County is also reporting an increase of the virus in the local wastewater.

Public health experts say this is likely part of a new normal: COVID-19 infections tend to rise in the summer months as people gather in large groups outside or huddle together indoors to escape the heat.

"For each summer since the pandemic began, we have had a summer increase of various magnitudes. So, I'm actually not surprised to see it happening now," said Leslie Waller, an epidemiologist with the Metro Health Department. "Especially coming off the tail of a really hot period where people were spending a lot of time indoors, not having the windows open."

Are COVID-19 cases rising again?

Public health experts say probably not right now, especially if you're in good health and you're up to date on your vaccinations.

While virus-related hospitalizations are rising again, they're increasing from an already low point. The CDC has not called this latest increase a "surge" in cases. Waller, with the Metro Health Department, calls it more of an "uptick."

The overall U.S. rate of hospitalizations is down 94% from the peak 7-day average in the winter of 2022, the CDC notes.

"We're starting at a low point in hospitalizations but going up slightly," said Josh Michaud, an epidemiologist and associate director for Global Health Policy at KFF, a non-profit organization focused on national health issues. "It's still relatively low compared to previous levels of hospitalizations in the U.S., but it is concerning because we don't know how long this increase will go on."

Still, to put things into context, new U.S. COVID-related hospitalizations for the week of July 29 (the most current data available) totaled 9,053, according to the CDC. For the week of Jan. 15, 2022, the U.S. saw 150,674, CDC data show.

Vaccination is still a good idea

Still, the increase in cases comes just months before the start of cold and flu season. While a majority of Tennesseans have gotten their full first round of COVID shots, a paltry 11.1% are fully up to date with the recommended boosters, according to the CDC. Barely a third of those 65 and older — generally one of the highest risk groups — are fully up-to-date.

Having COVID can add to the risk of other illnesses, experts say. For now, it's too soon to say what, if any, impact this latest uptick in cases will have on Tennessee, said Tennessee Department of Health spokesman Dean Flener.

"It is too early to speculate about Tennessee’s upcoming flu season or COVID’s impact on it," Flener said. "TDH’s recommendation for the best way to prevent the worst outcomes from both flu and COVID is to get vaccinated."

Since the start of the pandemic, Tennessee has counted nearly 2.6 million cases of COVID-19. Of those, 29,678 have likely died from the novel coronavirus, according to the Department of Health.

Frank Gluck is the health care reporter for The Tennessean. He can be reached at fgluck@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter at @FrankGluck.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: COVID cases rising? Hospitalizations rise again in Tennessee, the U.S.