Author: COVID-19 NEWS

For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting from 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19. A person is still considered a close contact even if they were wearing a mask while they were around someone with COVID-19.

Reported and forecasted new COVID-19 hospital admissions as of February 22, 2021.
Interpretation of Forecasts of New Hospitalizations
This week, ensemble forecasts of new reported COVID-19 hospital admissions over the next 4 weeks included forecasts from 12 modeling groups, each of which contributed a forecast for at least one jurisdiction.
This week’s national ensemble predicts that the number of new daily confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions will likely decrease over the next 4 weeks, with 1,300 to 5,000 new confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions likely reported on March 22, 2021.
The state- and territory-level ensemble forecasts predict that over the next four weeks, the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions will likely decrease in 45 jurisdictions, which are indicated in the forecast plots below. Trends in numbers of future reported hospital admissions are uncertain or predicted to remain stable in the other states and territories.
National Forecasts

The figure shows the number of new confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions reported in the United States each day from December 15 through February 15 and forecasted new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day over the next 4 weeks, through March 22.
Models make various assumptions about the levels of social distancing and other interventions, which may not reflect recent changes in behavior. See model descriptions below for details on the assumptions and methods used to produce the forecasts.
Download national forecast data excel icon[XLS – 29 KB]
State Forecasts
State-level forecasts show the predicted number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day for the next 4 weeks by state. Each state uses a different scale, due to differences in the number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day in each state. Only forecasts meeting a set of ensemble inclusion criteria are shown for jurisdictions with ensemble forecasts. Further details are available here: https://covid19forecasthub.org/doc/ensemble/external icon.
Download state forecasts pdf icon[PDF – 2 MB] 1
Download all forecast data excel icon[CSV – 1 MB]
Additional forecast data and information on forecast submission are available at the COVID-19 Forecast Hubexternal icon.
Forecast Inclusion and Assumptions
The teams with forecasts included in the ensembles are displayed below. Forecasts are included when they meet a set of submission and data quality requirements, further described here: https://github.com/reichlab/covid-19-forecast-hub#ensemble-modelexternal icon.
Reported daily new hospital admissions can vary due to variable staffing and inconsistent reporting patterns within the week. Thus, daily variations in the reported numbers and the forecasts may not fully represent the true number of confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions in each jurisdiction on a specific day. Additional information on use of HHS-reported hospital admissions for COVID-19 forecasts is available here: https://github.com/reichlab/covid19-forecast-hub/blob/master/data-processed/README.md#hospitalizationsexternal icon.
The forecasts make different assumptions about social distancing measures and use different methods and data sets to estimate the number of new hospital admissions. Additional individual models details are available here: https://github.com/cdcepi/COVID-19-Forecasts/blob/master/COVID-19_Forecast_Model_Descriptions.mdexternal icon.
Intervention assumptions fall into multiple categories:
These modeling groups make assumptions about how levels of social distancing will change in the future:

These modeling groups assume that existing social distancing measures in each jurisdiction will continue through the projected 4-week time period:

1 The full range of the prediction intervals is not visible for all state plots. Please see the forecast data for the full range of state-specific prediction intervals.

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Reported and forecasted new COVID-19 hospital admissions as of February 22, 2021.
Interpretation of Forecasts of New Hospitalizations
This week, ensemble forecasts of new reported COVID-19 hospital admissions over the next 4 weeks included forecasts from 12 modeling groups, each of which contributed a forecast for at least one jurisdiction.
This week’s national ensemble predicts that the number of new daily confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions will likely decrease over the next 4 weeks, with 1,300 to 5,000 new confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions likely reported on March 22, 2021.
The state- and territory-level ensemble forecasts predict that over the next four weeks, the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions will likely decrease in 45 jurisdictions, which are indicated in the forecast plots below. Trends in numbers of future reported hospital admissions are uncertain or predicted to remain stable in the other states and territories.
National Forecasts

The figure shows the number of new confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions reported in the United States each day from December 15 through February 15 and forecasted new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day over the next 4 weeks, through March 22.
Models make various assumptions about the levels of social distancing and other interventions, which may not reflect recent changes in behavior. See model descriptions below for details on the assumptions and methods used to produce the forecasts.
Download national forecast data excel icon[XLS – 29 KB]
State Forecasts
State-level forecasts show the predicted number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day for the next 4 weeks by state. Each state uses a different scale, due to differences in the number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per day in each state. Only forecasts meeting a set of ensemble inclusion criteria are shown for jurisdictions with ensemble forecasts. Further details are available here: https://covid19forecasthub.org/doc/ensemble/external icon.
Download state forecasts pdf icon[PDF – 2 MB] 1
Download all forecast data excel icon[CSV – 1 MB]
Additional forecast data and information on forecast submission are available at the COVID-19 Forecast Hubexternal icon.
Forecast Inclusion and Assumptions
The teams with forecasts included in the ensembles are displayed below. Forecasts are included when they meet a set of submission and data quality requirements, further described here: https://github.com/reichlab/covid-19-forecast-hub#ensemble-modelexternal icon.
Reported daily new hospital admissions can vary due to variable staffing and inconsistent reporting patterns within the week. Thus, daily variations in the reported numbers and the forecasts may not fully represent the true number of confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions in each jurisdiction on a specific day. Additional information on use of HHS-reported hospital admissions for COVID-19 forecasts is available here: https://github.com/reichlab/covid19-forecast-hub/blob/master/data-processed/README.md#hospitalizationsexternal icon.
The forecasts make different assumptions about social distancing measures and use different methods and data sets to estimate the number of new hospital admissions. Additional individual models details are available here: https://github.com/cdcepi/COVID-19-Forecasts/blob/master/COVID-19_Forecast_Model_Descriptions.mdexternal icon.
Intervention assumptions fall into multiple categories:
These modeling groups make assumptions about how levels of social distancing will change in the future:

These modeling groups assume that existing social distancing measures in each jurisdiction will continue through the projected 4-week time period:

1 The full range of the prediction intervals is not visible for all state plots. Please see the forecast data for the full range of state-specific prediction intervals.

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For more information on wearing a mask and personal protective equipment in healthcare workplaces, see Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic.​​
Types of Masks
There are many types of masks that you can use to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading COVID-19. The terminology used to describe masks is NOT standardized. The terms and definitions provided here might be different from the terms and definitions that are used for commercial products. A brief description of different types of masks and some of the pros and cons of each are described below.
Cloth Masks

Cloth masks can be made from a variety of natural and synthetic fabrics and fibers, and many types of cloth masks are available.
What to look for
Look for a cloth mask that is made of multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric.
Make sure your cloth mask blocks light from coming through the fabric if held up to a bright light source.
Features
Can have ear loops that fit behind the ears or cords that tie around the head and neck.
Some have a nose wire (a metal strip along the top of the mask) that can help to improve fit.
Note: Do NOT wear cloth masks with exhalation valves or vents since they allow respiratory droplets containing the virus to escape.
Pros: Easy to obtain; comfortable; affordable; convenient; washable and reusable; ear loops, tie cords, and nose wires (if available) can usually be adjusted.
Cons: Poorly fitting masks may have gaps around the sides of the face or nose. Gaps may allow respiratory droplets containing the virus to leak in and out around the mask. Depending on how they fit and how they are made, cloth masks vary in how well they can protect you and others from getting and spreading COVID-19.
Additional Considerations: A cloth mask can be layered on top of a medical procedure mask for improved fit and filtration. Using a mask fitter or brace may also help to improve fit.
Medical Procedure Masks (sometimes referred to as Surgical Masks or Disposable Face Masks)

Medical procedure masks (including surgical masks) intended for community use are commercially available and are often sold as “disposable face masks.”
What to look for
Check the labels to ensure that they are made of multi-layered, non-woven material.
Features
Generally have ear loops that fit behind the ears. However, some available options have cords that tie around the head and neck rather than ear loops.
Some have a nose wire (a metal strip along the top of the mask) that can help to improve fit.
Pros: Easy to obtain; comfortable; affordable; convenient; disposable (good for situations when the mask may get wet or dirty); nose wires (if available) can be adjusted.
Cons: These masks often fit loosely. Masks with ear loops may not be adjustable enough to achieve a better fit. Masks with tie cords can provide a better fit for some people. Poor fit causes gaps around the nose and along the sides of the face where respiratory droplets containing the virus can leak in and out; designed for one-time use.
Additional Considerations: A medical procedure mask can be layered underneath a cloth mask for improved fit and filtration. However, a medical procedure mask should not be layered underneath a second medical procedure mask. Using a mask fitter or brace may also help to improve fit
KN95 Masks (also known as KN95 Respirators)

KN95 masks are a type of filtering facepiece respirator that are commonly made and used in China. KN95 masks may be preferable in some situations or for some people – especially for situations that require prolonged close contact with people who do not live in the same household, or for people who are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
What to look for
Look for KN95 masks that meet requirements similar to those set by CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for respirators. Some KN95 masks sold in the United States meet requirements similar to those set by NIOSH, while other KN95 masks do not.
Features
Often have ear loops that fit behind the ears. However, some available options have head straps.
Note: Do NOT wear KN95 masks with exhalation valves since they allow respiratory droplets containing the virus to escape.
Pros: Filter up to 95% of particles in the air (when they meet the right requirements and are not counterfeit/fake, and when proper fit can be achieved).
Cons: Can be uncomfortable; often requires more effort to breath; may be more expensive and difficult to obtain; designed for one-time use; many counterfeit (fake) KN95 masks are commercially available, and sometimes it is hard to tell if they meet the right requirements just by looking at them. At least 60% of the KN95 masks evaluated by NIOSH did not meet the requirements that they claim to meet.
Additional Considerations: It may be hard to achieve a proper fit with certain types of facial hair.
NIOSH-Approved N95 Respirators
CDC does not recommend the use of N95 respirators for protection against COVID-19 in non-healthcare settings. N95 respirators should be reserved for healthcare personnel and for other workers who are required to wear them for protection against other hazards.
Ways to Increase Mask Protection: Improve Fit and Filtration
Improve fit to help prevent air (potentially with respiratory droplets containing the virus) from flowing freely around the edges of the mask and instead forcing air to flow through the mask.
Improve filtration to cause more respiratory droplets containing the virus to be captured by the mask.
How to Improve Fit

COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when people breathe, cough, sneeze, talk, shout, or sing. These respiratory droplets travel in the air and can then land in the noses and mouths of others, which spreads COVID-19. Therefore, in order to be effective, masks must always be worn over the nose and mouth.
Ensuring that masks fit well on the face is very important to help prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. A common problem with some masks is that there can sometimes be gaps between the mask and the mask wearer’s face. When there are gaps, air with respiratory droplets containing the virus can leak in and out around the edges of the mask (on the top or the sides). To help prevent air leakage, masks should fit snugly against the sides of the face and not have gaps.
Options to Improve Mask Fit

Nose Wires: Use cloth or medical procedure masks that have a nose wire (a metal strip along the top of the mask) to help prevent air leakage at the top of the mask. Nose wires can also help to prevent fogging of eyeglasses. To get a good fit, make sure to bend the nose wire over your nose to conform to your face.

Until we know more about how this virus affects animals, CDC encourages pet owners to treat pets as you would other human family members to protect them from possible infection. This means limiting contact between your pets and people outside your household as much as possible and avoiding places where large numbers of people gather.
Some areas are allowing groomers and boarding facilities such as dog daycares to open. If you must take your pet to a groomer or boarding facility, follow any protocols put into place at the facility, such as wearing a mask and maintaining at least 6 feet of space between yourself and others if possible.
Limit pet items brought from home to the groomer or boarding facility, and disinfect any objects that are taken into a facility and returned home (such as leashes, bowls, and toys). Use an EPA-registered disinfectantexternal icon to clean items and rinse thoroughly with clean water afterwards. Do not wipe or bathe your pet with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners. If you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or cleaning your pet, talk to your veterinarian.
Do not put masks on pets, and do not take a sick pet to a groomer or boarding facility. Signs of sickness in dogs may include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, discharge from the nose or eyes, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you think your pet is sick, call your veterinarian. Some veterinarians may offer telemedicine consultations or other plans for seeing sick pets. Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet and determine the next steps for your pet’s treatment and care.
See more information on pets and COVID-19 and recommendations for how to help keep your pet safe.

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CDC is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by learning more about how the disease spreads and affects people and communities.
CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report publishes the results of COVID-19 outbreak investigations. CDC’s scientific journal Emerging Infectious Diseases has published dozens of studies by researchers studying COVID-19 since the pandemic began.