Fact Check: About 165,000 Americans were hospitalized and 40,000 died from Covid in the previous year, according to the CDC.

Fact Check: "About 165,000 Americans were hospitalized and 40,000 died from Covid in the previous year, according to the CDC."

What We Know

The claim states that approximately 165,000 Americans were hospitalized and 40,000 died from COVID-19 in the previous year, as reported by the CDC. However, according to the COVID-19 Mortality Update published by the CDC, the actual number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States during the entire year of 2022 was approximately 244,000. This figure significantly exceeds the 40,000 deaths mentioned in the claim.

Furthermore, the Provisional COVID-19 Mortality Surveillance indicates that the data on hospitalizations and deaths is subject to delays in reporting and may not reflect the complete picture for recent periods. The provisional data suggests that while hospitalization numbers can fluctuate, the reported deaths are considerably higher than the claim suggests.

Analysis

The claim appears to be based on a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of data. The CDC's COVID-19 Mortality Update clearly states that there were approximately 244,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in 2022, which is more than six times the figure cited in the claim. Additionally, the claim regarding hospitalizations does not align with the comprehensive data available from the CDC, which tracks hospitalizations and deaths in detail.

The Provisional COVID-19 Mortality Surveillance also emphasizes that the data is provisional and can be incomplete due to delays in reporting. This means that any recent figures should be viewed with caution, as they may not represent the final counts. The claim lacks a credible source that corroborates the specific numbers mentioned, and it appears to be an underestimation of the impact of COVID-19 in the United States.

In evaluating the sources, the CDC is a reputable and authoritative body for public health data. The information provided in their reports is based on extensive data collection and analysis, making it a reliable source for understanding the COVID-19 pandemic's impact.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that about 165,000 Americans were hospitalized and 40,000 died from COVID-19 in the previous year is incorrect. The actual number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in 2022 was approximately 244,000, as reported by the CDC. The hospitalization figures are also likely higher than stated, given the lack of specific data supporting the claim. Therefore, the claim significantly underrepresents the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Sources

1. CDC COVID Data Tracker: Home
2. Provisional COVID-19 Mortality Surveillance
3. COVID-19 Mortality Update — United States, 2022 | MMWR
4. Preliminary Estimates of COVID-19 Burden for 2024-2025
5. COVID-19 cases | WHO COVID-19 dashboard - WHO Data
6. Covid in the U.S.: Latest Maps, Case and Death Counts
7. COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
8. Covid study shows another reason to get vaccinated