Atlanta, Georgia – Following the end of the public health emergency in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made changes to its COVID-19 tracking system. Now, instead of tracking COVID cases, the CDC is focusing on monitoring hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID, as well as keeping track of vaccination rates. This shift reflects a new approach to measuring the activity of the virus in the U.S., particularly in the wake of changing circumstances.
Throughout the pandemic, states reported data on COVID cases to the CDC. However, as the public health emergency came to a close, states gradually ceased reporting this information. As a result, the CDC dropped its case counting as part of its COVID Tracker. The agency now relies on data related to hospitalizations and deaths to identify trends in the virus’s activity across the country, providing a more targeted approach to tracking the impact of COVID.
In addition to monitoring hospitalization and death rates, the CDC is also keeping a close watch on vaccination rates. The agency provides estimates for how many people in the U.S. have received COVID vaccines, including booster doses. This data is crucial for assessing the progress of vaccination efforts and identifying areas where vaccination rates may lag behind, enabling public health officials to implement targeted interventions.
For individuals seeking the most up-to-date COVID case counts in their local communities, the CDC advises checking with their state’s public health department. This change in approach to COVID tracking represents a shift towards a more refined and targeted strategy for monitoring the impact of the virus in the U.S. As the situation continues to evolve, ongoing monitoring and data collection will remain crucial for guiding public health responses and interventions.