COVID still causes significant hospitalizations and deaths despite declining severe impact rates.
Re-infections increase risk for certain health issues.
Annual vaccination is key to preventing severe disease and reducing long COVID risk.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID was associated with an estimated 290,000 to 450,000 hospitalizations and between 34,000 and 53,000 deaths between July 2024 and July 2025, the most recent year that data is available. These stats show just how much the virus is still impacting us.

For comparison, here's how the flu impacted people in 2024-2025 Which was a more severe flu season than normal:

CDC estimates there were 51 million influenza (flu)-related illnesses, 23 million medical visits, 710,000 hospitalizations and 45,000 deaths during the 2024-2025 flu season. Based on CDC criteria, the severity of the 2024-2025 season was high.

The estimated flu-related illnesses and medical visits are higher than the 2017-2018 season, the last high severity flu season. Estimated hospitalizations are the same as 2017-2018, while estimated deaths are lower.

I guess this is the new normal. Double the amount of severe respiratory disease than before, and little to no seasonality.

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[–] TheModerateTankie@hexbear.net 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Yeah, there's been record rates of nearly everything. Could it be that neuroinvasive airborne vascular disease is having an effect on people? Nah, it's because we couldn't get drunk at the pub for a while.

[–] AF_R@hexbear.net 4 points 1 week ago

The disease has essentially disabled and permanently reduced the intellectual and physical capability of the entire human race, forever. It’s kind of crazy to think about.