Sometimes it is easy to refer to “the pandemic” as something that already ended. The phrase alone can make COVID-19 seem historical. While the World Health Organization ended COVID-19’s designation as a global health emergency in 2023, the disease itself has not stopped exacting a heavy toll.
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined COVID-19 illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States from late 2022 through late 2024. The findings make clear that COVID-19 continues to impose a significant health burden year after year.
What Toll Did the Study Reveal?
From October 2022 through September 2023, researchers estimated that 43.6 million people in the U.S. became sick with COVID-19. During that same period, 1.1 million individuals were hospitalized, and more than 100,000 people died.
In the following year, from October 2023 through September 2024, illness estimates declined. Still, they remained substantial. Roughly 33 million COVID-19 illnesses were recorded. Nearly 900,000 people were hospitalized, and approximately 100,800 deaths occurred. The study’s authors conclude that COVID-19 remains a persistent health threat in the U.S.
The study drew its data from the COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network. This large system captures information from around 10% of the total U.S. population. The dataset allowed researchers to examine patterns across age groups. The approach revealed who faced the greatest risks of severe disease and death.
One of the clearest findings was the disproportionate impact on older adults. Most severe outcomes, including hospitalizations and deaths, occurred among people aged 65 and older.
This age group makes up less than 20% of the U.S. population. But adults 65 and older accounted for 47.5% of COVID-19 infections. They also represented 67.5% of hospitalizations and 81.3% of deaths.
About 1% of adults in this age range were hospitalized for COVID-19 during the study periods. The authors linked these severe outcomes in older adults to immune decline. Age can reduce the body’s ability to mount strong responses to infection.
What Do These Results Mean?
COVID-19 outcomes were more severe than influenza in a similar timeframe. CDC data show influenza hospitalized more than 470,000 people and caused nearly 28,000 deaths. Flu remains an important and ongoing health concern. Yet the contrast highlights that COVID-19 continues to impose a higher overall health burden.
Authors said the persistent toll of COVID-19 reflects the continued importance of prevention. Vaccination remains the first line of defense against severe disease. Expand access to antiviral treatments is urgent, especially for older adults.
Even as public attention moves on, the data make clear that COVID-19 has not.
Conclusion
COVID-19 causes tens of millions of illnesses and over 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Older adults face the greatest risk.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
