A recently published study found that nearly half of those hospitalized for COVID-19 by 2021 may have been admitted for another reason completely or be mild or asymptomatic by the respiratory virus.
Led by a team of researchers from Harvard Medical School, Tufts Medical Center, and the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, the peer-reviewed peer-reviewed analysis examined the electronic records of nearly 50,000 COVID hospital admissions at more than 100 hospitals. GO all over the country. .
According to The Atlantic, the researchers “checked whether each patient needed supplemental oxygen or had a blood oxygen level below 94%” and whether “any of these conditions were met, the authors classified that patient as a disease.” moderate to severe, otherwise the case was considered mild or asymptomatic. “
“The study found that from March 2020 to early January 2021 – before vaccination became widespread and before the Delta variant arrived – the proportion of patients with mild or asymptomatic disease was 36 percent.” said the report. “However, from mid-January to the end of June 2021, this number increased to 48%. In other words, the study suggests that approximately half of all hospitalized patients listed on the data boards. COVID in 2021 may have been admitted completely for another reason or only have a mild presentation of the disease. “
The report later noted that the increase was even greater for vaccinated hospitalized patients, with 57% experiencing mild or asymptomatic illness. In addition, the study found that unvaccinated patients have also been reported to have less severe symptoms, on average, than before the outbreak, with 45% of mild or asymptomatic cases as of January 21st.
The study’s findings raise serious concerns about whether there are similar trends in hospitals across the country. According to Dr. Shira Doron, one of the co-authors of the study, refining the definition of hospitalizations is critical when discussing COVID-related public policy measures that affect entities such as schools and businesses.
“When we try to move from cases to hospitalizations as a metric to drive policy and assess the level of risk for a community, state or country, we should refine the definition of hospitalization, “she said.” Those patients who are there with instead of from COVID does not belong to the metric “.
Shawn Fleetwood is an intern at The Federalist and a student at Mary Washington University, where he plans to graduate with a degree in political science and major in journalism. He is also a state content writer for the Convention of States of Action. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood